Relationship Manager overview
It’s been quite a time to try and deliver funding quotes on the digital route review apprenticeships over the last 8 weeks! Despite all the challenges COVID-19 has thrown at us, it has been amazing to see everyone pull together to get a great deal of this work over the line and submitted on time.
The collaborative effort between trailblazers, professional bodies, training providers and the Institute’s funding team has been truly wonderful to see. Everyone involved has worked so hard, to ensure that we have the most robust evidence base for the all-important funding band decisions.
Preview webinars for infrastructure technician (information communications technician)
Following success at October’s route panel this standard is now approved. You can preview the standard content on our website.
A webinar will be held on 25 November 10am to 11am via Teams. It will be hosted by Becky King (Microsoft) and Si Keyland (MoD), the joint chairs of the trailblazer group. They will talk through the changes and collect any feedback and ideas for improvement.
If you would like to attend the event please email Amanda Steward at Amanda.steward@education.gov.uk
Summary of activity and timeline for apprenticeships review up to 1 November 2020
You can preview all the revised content on our website.
- Data analyst level 4: The apprenticeship and end-point assessment (EPA) has been approved. Route panel will review pending funding band quotes in early December.
- Network engineer level 4: The apprenticeship has been approved and the EPA is pending approval by the Institute following adjustment to meet conditions. Route panel will review pending funding band quotes in December.
- Unified communications trouble-shooter level 4: This apprenticeship has been proposed for decommissioning.
- Cyber security technologist level 4: The apprenticeship and the EPA have been approved and can be found on our website. Route panel will review pending funding band quotes in early December.
Please note that the ST code for the new standard and title will change. The new title will be cyber security technologist (2020). End-point assessment organisations (EPAOs) will need to re-register to remain on the register of end-point assessment organisations in order to deliver EPA for this new standard. The change of ST code will not affect training providers. Except when they start delivering the new standard, they will need to check they are using the right ST code. Cyber security technologist will be withdrawn and closed to new starts once cyber security technologist (2020) launches.
- Cyber intrusion analyst level 4 – The apprenticeship has been proposed for decommissioning as a standalone apprenticeship, it will be incorporated as a third option in the revised cyber security technologist (2020) level 4.
- Software developer technician level 3: The apprenticeship and EPA have been approved with conditions and are with the trailblazer group for adjustments to be considered and made. These will be submitted by the end of November. Funding band quotes pending from training providers need to be received before funding recommendation can be made and the apprenticeship launched.
- Software developer level 4: The apprenticeship and EPA have been approved. Route panel will review pending funding band quotes in early December.
- Unified communications technician level 3: A new trailblazer group has been formed and has agreed to redevelop the standard as digital communications technician, within the infrastructure technician standard. This is to fulfil a need for this occupation highlighted by the trailblazer group members. The trailblazer group met for a virtual workshop on 23 April and again on 7 May. The trailblazer group is keen for anyone interested in this standard to join. Please contact Simon Keyland, as the chair, or myself to discuss joining.
- Infrastructure technician level 3: The trailblazer group has renamed the apprenticeship, information communication technician to better reflect the target occupation and job roles within it. The apprenticeship standard and EPA have been approved and the content can be found on our website. Route panel will review pending funding band quotes in early December.
Please note that the ST code for the new standard and title will change. The new title will be information communication technician. EPAOs will need to re-register to remain on the register of end-point assessment organisations to deliver EPA for this new standard. The change of ST code will not affect training providers, except when they start delivering the new standard, they will need to check they are using the right ST code. Infrastructure technician level 3 will be withdrawn and closed to new starts once information communication technician launches.
- Software tester level 4: The trailblazer group has received approval for the apprenticeship and the EPA, its content can be found on our website. It has been agreed to keep the apprenticeship at level 4. Funding band quotes are still pending. Route panel will review quotes in early February 2021.
- IS (Information Systems) business analyst level 4: The trailblazer group has received approval for the apprenticeship to be renamed as business analyst. The trailblazer group has submitted the EPA for consideration by the route panel in early December. It will review pending funding band quotes in early December.
- Digital and technology solutions professional level 6: The trailblazer group has worked hard to clarify the duties and knowledge, skills and behaviours for the specialisms/options currently available and submitted a revised apprenticeship by 20 May. Funding band quotes pending from training providers will need to be received before funding recommendation can be made and the apprenticeship launched.
As always, all the trailblazer group chairs want to hear from any employers who have an interest in the apprenticeships under review whether as past, current or future employers of apprentices. You will find contact email addresses below.
The trailblazer group chairs remain especially keen to discuss approaches to transition to the new apprenticeships. They would like to hear the views of the key stakeholders in delivering the apprenticeships and how best to mitigate against any unnecessary disruption. Some chairs have already had very useful discussions with key stakeholders and they are looking to hear as many views as possible on what the wider sector thinks.
Trailblazer group chair contacts:
Rebecca Plant at Rebecca.plant@microsoft.com
- Infrastructure technician level 3
- Software developer technician level 3
- Data analyst level 4
- Software developer level 4
- Software tester level 4
Jonathan Goodall at JonathanG@Risual.com
- Network engineer level 4
Simon Keyland at Simon.Keyland410@mod.gov.uk
- Unified communications trouble-shooter level 4
- Unified communications technician level 3
Paul Thorlby at JPThorlby@qinetiq.com
- Cyber security technologist level 4
- Cyber intrusion analyst level 4.
Christina Lovelock at c.f.lovelock@leeds.ac.uk
- IS business analyst level 4
Jenny Taylor at TAYLOJA@uk.ibm.com
- Digital and technology solutions professional level 6
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