IfATE and DfE want to ensure that apprenticeships meet the needs of both employers and apprentices.  

This is partly about making sure only high quality apprenticeship content is approved for delivery. It is also about the activities needed so that approved apprenticeships are ready to be delivered successfully. We will do all we can to support delivery readiness, however when we detect an issue, we may need to pause new starts.    

The IfATE website will set out the very latest information about the delivery readiness of apprenticeships.  

 

Pausing “No EPAO” apprenticeships   

We announced in November 2023 that apprentices should only start on an apprenticeship with a confirmed end point assessment organisation (EPAO).   

It follows our commitment to:  

  • improving the quality of end-point assessments (EPA)   
  •  securing the best experiences and outcomes for apprentices  

Since November 2023:  

  •  we have paused a limited number of apprenticeships with no EPAO in place, and no apprentices currently on-programme  
  • apprentices are not able to begin on them until an EPAO is found  

IfATE's website has banners on paused apprenticeship webpages.  

We remove the banner once an EPAO is found and starts may begin.    

 

Pausing “zero start” apprenticeships   

From August 2024, IfATE will review all apprenticeships that are approved for delivery but have not had any starts in the last 12 months. (this will not impact apprenticeships that have been reviewed within the last 12 months and received a relevant update to content).  

  • where there are exceptional circumstances, we may increase this review timeline  
  • we anticipate timeline increase to be rare, and generally limited to new apprenticeships  
  • it may be reasonable to give more time for delivery readiness and first starts where a new degree is being implemented, or where seasonality factors mean a new apprenticeship will launch at a later date  
  • where it is evident that an in-scope apprenticeship with zero starts in the last 12 months is no longer required, we will move to retire the apprenticeship.

Approval Committee makes approval decisions on products. A retirement decision is one that falls within our published approvals process and it is for the IfATE Approval Committee to approve.   

Where the trailblazer group confirms:  

  •  that the apprenticeship is in demand (still required)   
  • show intent to use the apprenticeship in the foreseeable future  

 IfATE will work with the trailblazer to identify and seek to address factors that are preventing successful delivery.  

 The apprenticeship will be paused for new starts until:  

  •  IfATE is satisfied the issue is resolved   
  • or has firm and reasonable assurances the blocker will be removed in the foreseeable future

This “pause” will be reflected by a banner on the apprenticeship’s web page.    

We will generally work to help unblock an apprenticeship for no more than 12 months, before referring to our Approval Committee to approve retirement. We may reduce this time if it is evident there is no foreseeable prospect of apprenticeship starts.   

 

Published 20 September 2024
Last updated 20 September 2024
(DS, AG)