Revisions 

Below is a summary of steps taken to mandate and integrate a qualification as part of an apprenticeship that is being revised. For further detail, please see the guidance.

  1. Trailblazer (TB) proposes to mandate a qualification(s). They send rationale and evidence to IfATE. This must happen early in the redevelopment of the apprenticeship.
  2. If applicable, the TB explains if and why the apprentice needs to complete the qualification(s) early in the apprenticeship. In this case, they recommend it is not integrated.
  3. IfATE considers the rationale and evidence submitted by the TB. IfATE determines whether to provide provisional agreement of inclusion of a mandatory qualification.
  4. IfATE identifies whether there are other equivalent qualifications to those proposed by the TB. IfATE create a provisional list of qualifications.
  5. Work on developing the occupational standard continues. Work on the EPA plan and funding band information begins.
  6. IfATE asks the awarding body (AB) of the qualification(s) identified by the TB to provide IfATE with information on alignment of the qualification with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs). IfATE also asks for information on the integration of the qualification with EPA. ABs will be asked to complete Form 1: Awarding body information request form.
  7. IfATE uses the information returned by ABs in Form 1 to review: alignment of the qualifications with the KSBs, comparability between qualifications. It is also used to inform integration with EPA. 
  8. IfATE will provide ABs with the opportunity to propose additional equivalent qualifications to be listed as mandatory qualifications for the apprenticeship. We will publish a template of Form 2: Awarding body survey form on the website. It is populated with the occupational standard’s KSBs. We will inform stakeholders that Form 2 has been published. AB’s are asked to download and return the form via the link on the webpage.
  9. If Form 2 is returned by ABs, IfATE considers: whether the other qualifications identified within the submitted forms are comparable with those identified by the TB, whether they align with the KSBs. At this stage, the inclusion of an additional qualification in a mandate is still subject to being able to successfully integrate it into the end-point assessment.
  10. IfATE identify the KSBs to be integrated in EPA and the integrated assessment method. The content of the proposed integrated assessment method is reviewed against the wording of the aligned subset of KSBs. IfATE takes into consideration: the awarding body information request form (form 1), the awarding body survey form (form 2), the qualification specification, qualification assessment materials. Development of the EPA plan continues.
  11. IfATE request a letter from the ABs confirming integration with EPA.
  12. Occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band information are finalised.
  13. Occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band information are submitted to IfATE for approval.
  14. The submitted occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band recommendation progress through IfATE’s internal approvals process. At this point final approval of the inclusion of the mandatory qualification is provided. 

 

New apprenticeships 

Below is a summary of steps taken to mandate and integrate a qualification as part of a new apprenticeship. For further detail, please see the guidance.

  1. Trailblazer (TB) proposes to mandate a qualification(s). They send rationale and evidence to IfATE. 
  2. If applicable, the TB explains if and why the apprentice needs to complete the qualification(s) early in the apprenticeship. In this case, they recommend it is not integrated.
  3. IfATE considers the rationale and evidence submitted by the TB. IfATE determines whether we recommend the agreement of the provisional inclusion of a mandatory qualification.
  4. The TB formally submits the rationale and evidence for inclusion of a mandatory qualification(s). The occupation proposal must be submitted alongside this. 
  5. IfATE’s route panel agrees or rejects the provisional inclusion of a mandatory qualification.
  6. IfATE’s Approvals Committee ratifies the recommendation from route panel on the provisional inclusion of a mandatory qualification.
  7. IfATE identifies whether there are other equivalent qualifications to those proposed by the TB. We create a provisional list of qualifications.
  8. Work on developing the occupational standard continues, and work on the EPA plan and funding band information begins.
  9. IfATE asks the awarding body (AB) of the qualification(s) identified by the TB to provide IfATE with information on alignment of the qualification with the knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs). IfATE also asks for information on the integration of the qualification with EPA. Abs will be asked to complete Form 1: Awarding body information request form.
  10. IfATE uses the information returned by Abs in Form 1 to review: alignment of the qualifications with the KSBs, comparability between qualifications. It is also used to inform integration with EPA.
  11. IfATE will provide ABs with the opportunity to propose additional equivalent qualifications to be listed as mandatory qualifications for the apprenticeship. We will publish a template of Form 2: Awarding body survey form on the website. It is populated with the occupational standard’s KSBs. We inform stakeholders that Form 2 has been published. AB’s are asked to download and return the form via the link on the webpage.
  12. If Form 2 is returned by ABs, IfATE considers: whether the other qualifications identified within the submitted forms are comparable with those identified by the TB, whether they align with the KSBs. At this stage, the inclusion of an additional qualification in a mandate is still subject to being able to successfully integrate it into the end-point assessment.
  13. IfATE identify the KSBs to be integrated in EPA and the integrated assessment method. The content of the proposed integrated assessment method is reviewed against the wording of the aligned subset of KSBs. IfATE takes into consideration: the awarding body information request form (form 1), the awarding body survey form (form 2), the qualification specification, qualification assessment materials. Development of the EPA plan continues.
  14. IfATE request a letter from the ABs confirming integration with EPA.
  15. Occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band information are finalised.
  16. Occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band information are submitted to IfATE for approval.
  17. The submitted occupational standard, EPA plan, and funding band recommendation progress through IfATE’s internal approvals process. At this point final approval of the inclusion of the mandatory qualification is provided. 

 

Published 15 May 2024
Last updated 15 May 2024
(DG, NS)