A major practitioner-led programme has been launched, investigating the fundamental shift in teaching, learning and assessment in the context of new apprenticeship standards.

Funded by the Education and Training Foundation (ETF), the programme is an opportunity for practitioners to explore, understand and share what outstanding looks like in the new approach to apprenticeships.

Julie Gibbings, Head of Teaching, Learning and Assessment at the ETF, said:

“The introduction of apprenticeship standards, end-point assessment and the new funding regime will require a significant shift in the way teaching, learning and assessment is approached in future. The role of the trainer and assessor is changing, employers are taking a greater lead in the design and delivery of apprenticeships, and the focus is now on achieving competence rather than qualifications.”

“The grants being made available through this programme will give practitioners the vital space they need to explore particular changes to their practice, and establish what outstanding looks like.”

The programme, overseen by the Strategic Development Network (SDN), will commission 10 grant-funded collaborative projects, focusing on areas of practice that sit under the following themes:

• Collaborative approaches to teaching/training, learning and assessment between providers and employers
• Curriculum development based on the new standards
• Monitoring and assessing the progress of the apprentice
• Outstanding technical pedagogy in apprenticeship delivery

The full prospectus and grant application process will go live on Monday, 2^nd April.

Two Briefing and Networking events will be hosted on 9^th (London) and 10^th April (Leeds), open to anyone interested in running (or being involved in) a collaborative project. The events will give an overview of the programme / grant application process, the kind of projects ETF are looking for, and provide space for delegates to network and explore potential collaborative project ideas together. Register here – London or Leeds

ETF are looking for a wide variety of apprenticeship providers and practitioners to be involved – in particular, those already delivery apprenticeship standards.

Each project group will consist of at least 10 practitioners from a range of apprenticeship provider types and/or end-point assessment organisations. Projects will take place between May 2018 and January 2019 and each one will be assigned a mentor to guide them through the research process. The research questions and methods set by each group will be precise and robust, leading to practical outputs that can be shared with the wider sector (including case studies, guidance, tools, etc.)

For further information of discussion contact Mandy Crawford-Lee on [email protected] or 07763820713