The ESFA, OfS and Ofsted have announced three dates for half day virtual conferences on inspections of apprenticeship training provision at levels 6 and 7 in late November / early December.

Further to the Education Secretary’s announcement that from 1 April 2021, Ofsted will inspect apprenticeship training provision at levels 6 and 7 (thereby becoming the single body for the inspection of apprenticeship training at all levels), The ESFA will be hosting a series of engagement events in partnership with Ofsted and the Office for Students to help training providers prepare for this change and to gather feedback from the apprenticeships sector to support the effective implementation of this policy.

These virtual conferences will provide an opportunity for training providers to hear directly from ESFA, Ofsted and the Office for Students on the practical implications of this change. There will be opportunities to ask questions and share feedback to help inform the effective implementation of this policy.

Conferences are free-of-charge and there will be a range of sessions to match each organisation’s familiarity with Ofsted inspection. There will also be a standalone session for higher education providers that are unfamiliar with Ofsted inspection in order to address the sector specific considerations that these providers may have.

Events schedule and booking

• Ofsted inspection of level 6 and 7 apprenticeships (for independent training providers and colleges not familiar with Ofsted inspection) – Monday 30 November, 9:00 to 12:00. Register online.
• Ofsted inspection of level 6 and 7 apprenticeships (for universities not familiar with Ofsted inspection) – Tuesday 1 December, 13:00 to 16:00. Register online.
• Ofsted inspection of level 6 and 7 apprenticeships (for providers with some familiarity with Ofsted inspection) – Friday 4th December, 13:00 to 16:00. Register online.