Institute presents apprenticeships blueprint for UK industry’s new era

The Department for Education-sponsored, employer-led organisation said its survey highlighted the urgent need for new apprenticeships and wider technical education in chemical, simulation & modelling, mechnical and safety engineering, product development, engineering compliance and quality management, plus glass manufacturing.

These could include both T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications and would effectively add eight new apprenticeships to the nearly 60 reviewed in the Institute’s report. However the authors also recommend eight existing apprenticeships be decommissioned due to insufficient demand or changing training requirements.

Chief executive of the institute Jennifer Couplan said the recommended changes were intended to ensure learners and employers are provided with the best quality of training.

“It will pave the way for other occupational routes to take a similarly forward-looking approach that actively prepares the skills system for evolving industry and labour market skills needs,” she stated.

The newly-released publication marks the conclusion of an extensive, employer-led review of training requirements for engineering and manufacturing sectors, with the Institute’s route panel of employer experts revising the engineering and manufacturing occupational map.

The map covers three pathways for progression from entry to higher levels covering: engineering, design and development; maintenance, installation and repair; and engineering, manufacturing process, and control.

Relevant T Levels set to be added to the skills offer that will be taught from September 2022 will cover Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; and Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control.

Graham Honeyman, who leads the institute’s route panel of engineering and manufacturing employer experts, said:

“As route panel chair, I have been able to see the positive impact that the apprenticeship programme has had on the sector and wider economy. In the last 11 months alone, there has been an 11% increase in learners starting an apprenticeship in engineering and manufacturing and I look forward to the further benefits new T Levels will bring.

“I welcome these route review findings which will bring skills training right up to date for our sectors and help ensure our workforce receives the world class training it needs long into the future.”

Technical education is categorised into 15 different occupational routes reflecting all areas of the economy. The engineering and manufacturing route is the largest, with 145 apprenticeships approved for use serving a diverse range of training needs. There are 33 at level 2, 52 at level 3, 20 at level 4, 6 at level 5, 21 at level 6, and 13 at level 7.