Apprenticeship frameworks - changes from August 1st 2020

A reminder to employers that it remains the case that all remaining apprenticeship frameworks will be withdrawn to new starts on 31 July 2020. 

This follows the Government’s announcement in October 2018, which confirmed that from 1 August 2020, all new apprenticeship starts must be on new, employer-designed Standards. Existing apprentices on frameworks will still be able to complete on the framework, providing they started on or before 31st July 2020. 

This work is critical to our ambition of driving up the quality of apprenticeships and ensuring that apprenticeships meet your needs - the needs of employers. Standards are high-quality products that are designed by you, with employers specifying the knowledge, skills and behaviours that define occupational competence in their employees. Every apprenticeship Standard includes an independent end-point assessment, which gives you confidence that your apprentices are fully skilled and occupationally competent at the end of their apprenticeship. 

There are now over 500 Standards in a range of sectors that have been approved for delivery by the Institute for Apprenticeship and Technical Education and the majority of apprenticeship starts are now on higher-quality Standards. Out of total apprenticeship starts reported so far in 2019/20 academic year, Standards represent 74% of starts. 

A full list of available Standards can be viewed here.  

The Institute will continue to support employers to develop further Standards, wherever there is demand from employers and where Standards fulfil a distinct occupational role. 

The ESFA’s Digital Channel includes a useful blog with case studies from employers about Standards they are using to meet their needs.