In an exclusive feature for FE Week, Skills Federation members Justine Fosh, CEO of Cogent Skills, and Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, argue that the government’s proposed reforms to apprenticeship assessment have sparked serious concerns from employers. Particularly for safety-critical sectors such as engineering, manufacturing, life sciences and nuclear, there is a risk that the reforms could undermine credibility and compromise safety.
“For apprenticeship assessment, a one size fits all approach won’t work,” they state. They outline the importance of employers having confidence in the assessment of occupational competence and how the reforms – in particular moving to shorter assessment plans and sampling-based assessment models could impact on the reliability of the apprenticeship brand as a kitemark for competence.
“Equally troubling for employers across our sectors is the decision to remove formal assessment of behaviours,” they argue. “Safety culture, teamwork, and adherence to protocols are not optional extras, they are essential for maintaining site safety and team integrity. Without rigorous assessment of behaviours, we risk diluting the safety culture that underpins these industries.”
They recommend that government works with sector skills bodies to develop a sector-by-sector approach to maintain the credibility and quality of apprenticeships, ensuring they remain a trusted benchmark of skill and safety.
You can read the full article here.
