Let’s make end-point assessment part of the solution, not the problem

While end-point assessments currently raise more questions than they answer, if well implemented, they could help build confidence in the apprenticeship system, says Terry Fennell

Last month the DfE approved the 135th apprenticeship standard for mainstream delivery and by the end of 2016, over 3,000 apprentices will have started on one of these new programmes.

Those 3,000 apprentices – and many more to follow – will be undertaking a standard that may or may not have a qualification mandated, yet all will have to complete an end-point assessment (EPA) designed to ‘test’ the apprentice’s knowledge, skills and behaviours against the original requirements of the job role.

As it stands, less than half of the 138 standards are currently able to declare which Apprenticeship Assessment Organisation (AAO) will provide the EPAs for their apprenticeship. This must surely be a concern for policy makers and the slowly emerging Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) that will assume statutory responsibility for the quality and approval of stan dards from April 2017. For the moment, prospective AAOs must be approved by the Skills Funding Agency to appear on the Register of Apprenticeship Assessment Organisations (ROAAO) and only then can they offer EPA services on a specific standard.

One of key dilemmas facing aspiring AAOs is the classic return-on-investment issue

One of key dilemmas facing aspiring AAOs is the classic return-on-investment issue, as they cost the development requirements and try to calculate the potential income. Another issue surrounds the unregulated external quality assurance arrangements that may be imposed on AAOs. For example, the current requirements for trailblazers are to introduce a ‘quality assurance’ administration on an AAO; this could be a ‘governing board’ of employers or a professional body-led approach that (while it could work in certain instances) is likely to result in territorial and/or commercial tensions. Another option is to request that Ofqual oversee quality arrangements, but that would mean redefining the EPA as a qualification and is only open to regulated awarding organisations. The final option available to trailblazers is to request the yet-to-be-implemented IFA take on the quality-assuring role, but it is still unclear how that might function.

With so many questions surrounding the EPA in apprenticeships, it is easy to understand why many in the sector are raising doubts in relation to costs and the practical challenges they will bring. However, I believe that a well-implemented EPA will go a long way to ‘underpinning’ confidence in the apprenticeship system, what has for too long raised suspicion amongst government and employers. Rightly or wrongly, the 2012 Richard Review of Apprenticeships did influence politicians towards the notion of finishing ‘exams’ as a trusted method of assessment and reaching a grade.

If standards do bring parity with the assumed ‘gold standard’ education and HE counterparts, politicians will no longer be able to ‘doubt’ the challenge of completing the programme by qualification only. Furthermore, apprentices will have to prove over and above their qualification (if applicable) that they have mastered a trade, craft or occupational job requirement and this will have been adjudicated by an independent source.

Let’s not be too judgemental too early on EPAs

I must declare an interest for my own organisation, which has not only supported employers on the Level 2 Butchery Standard from development to approval, but has also successfully applied to the SFA to offer the EPAs for butchers. As with all Awarding Organisations (AO), our core business expertise is in assessment, qualification and people development and we function within a regulated market overseen by Ofqual. This means that when developing the EPAs, we have to ensure they are delivered with the usual ‘controlled’ practices that require consistency, reliability and the underpinning validity.

My call to the sector is this: let’s not be too judgemental too early on EPAs. Yes, they will cost more than qualifications but if awarding organisations and (potentially) other EPA bodies are to put rigour and validity into their end tests, then the associated costs for development and implementation will inevitably be higher than those of registering someone on an existing qualification.

In terms of the EPAs causing disruption to the workplace, by having to spend time off the job to sit an exam or take part in a practical assessment, then we should make no apology to this requirement. In fact, employers should actually welcome the prospect that a member of their workforce is looking to prove beyond doubt their competence.

 

Terry Fennell is operations director at specialist awarding organisation FDQ

 

Record number of females sign up for Hartpury College’s land-based courses

The future of farming is (slightly more) female, according to figures released from Hartpury College, which shows a record increase in the amount of female students signing up for land-based courses.

This September, 18 per cent of the college’s new agriculture intake were female, compared to just nine per cent at the same time last year – meaning there are now a total of 60 women studying agriculture at the college.

Hartpury College, located near Gloucester and Cheltenham, covers more than 360 hectares of land, and is currently top of the Department for Education league tables for its diploma courses, with 100 per cent of its agriculture students going on to secure employment.

Sixteen-year-old Tilly Heron who has just started the Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture at Hartpury, said: “I’ve chosen farming because I love animals and I love the outdoor life. I could never do a job sitting behind a desk.

“Farming has traditionally been very male-orientated but I think there’s an exciting future for girls in the industry.”

 

Picture: The newest recruits at Hartpury’s home farm

How colleges can keep up with apprenticeship reforms

If colleges wish to continue to deliver apprenticeships, they will need to adapt quickly, writes Teresa Frith

We are sitting in the middle of a maelstrom of reform in apprenticeships. But what should be at the forefront of our minds is that whatever apprenticeships we provide, they must be high quality. We will be doing a disservice to all apprentices and employers if we chase the government’s target of three million new apprenticeships by 2020 without keeping in mind that this must work for them first and foremost. Despite concerns about a lack of clarity in implementing the reforms, one thing is clear: we all still believe apprenticeships are a significant part of the solution for improving skills in the UK.

Colleges have always been apprenticeship providers, but this delivery has been part of a wide range of education and training opportunities for the local community. Their apprenticeship provision tends to be reflective of what might be called the ‘harder markets’: small businesses that are unlikely to add profit to the college and need significant support; students who are harder to place; sectors where apprenticeship training is expensive to deliver.

Obviously there are exceptions, but well over half of English college provision is delivered to businesses who take only one or two apprentices; on top of this, over 50 per cent of all apprenticeship provision in some key STEM-based areas is delivered by colleges. Colleges have spent a lot of time and energy ensuring that they can be the ‘second (or more) chance saloon’ for the people they serve and that they are accessible to all employers, picking up activity that does not appeal to other types of provider.

Colleges by now recognise that the current reforms focus on the needs of employers, and that the approach that is being encouraged is a commercial one. If a college wishes to continue to deliver apprenticeships, they
will need to adapt quickly to this new approach. To continue to train apprentices who are at a disadvantage, they will need to charge what it actually costs to deliver, or find some money from elsewhere; disadvantage uplifts, and other fair-yet-complicated aspects of the existing funding methodologies, are going.

If a college needs to support a micro business through the whole process of creating an apprenticeship, filling the vacancy then running the programme, they will need to charge the employer what it costs to do this, or find money from elsewhere. So from a practical, financial perspective, colleges need to adapt and find a sustainable delivery strategy.

The approach that is being encouraged is a commercial one

It is hard to see how such a strategy will allow them to continue to work with employers that need a significant time investment prior to and during delivery, however, as well as people who are further away from the job market. This is why one of AoC’s recommendations in its autumn statement submission is for apprenticeship funding to retain a factor to support those from low-income families. It is hard to believe that all this is the genuine intent of the reforms, but it currently remains the reality of the implementation plans.

So in which markets might colleges be seeking to deliver more apprenticeships? Just like ‘employers’, ‘colleges’ are not a homogenous group; they will respond and adapt in myriad ways.

It seems sensible for colleges to play to their strengths and likely that we will see elements of specialisms being introduced. In line with employer demand, we can expect that a significant amount of work might shift from the ‘entry into work’ apprenticeship market to the ‘progression in work’ apprenticeship market.

But all this is speculation; we will have to wait and see what happens after the introduction of the new apprenticeship funding system on May 1, 2017. In the meantime, AoC will continue to work with the government to ensure that apprenticeships do not become a ‘cash cow’ for profiteers, but continue to provide a genuine learning experience for students and achieve real productivity gains for employers and the UK.

There will be forums on making the apprenticeship agenda work for your college at the AoC Conference (15-17 November)

Barnsley College’s Fireman Sam cart scoops ‘Most Creative Cart’ title in soapbox derby

Barnsley College is celebrating after taking home the title of ‘Most Creative Cart’ in a soapbox derby.

The event saw teams build and race their own soap box cars in front of 3,500 spectators, in order to raise money for Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice, which organised the event.

The college’s entry was Fireman Sam-themed, and was one of 37 carts that battled it out to the finish line at the event held at Clifton Park in Rotherham.

 

The team in action
The team in action on the Fireman Sam cart

The hospice cares for children and young adults with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions, and currently supports 250 families in their own homes, as well as at the hospice itself, which is based in Sheffield.

Steve Wilmer, tutorial learning mentor in the business, warehousing and logistics department at Barnsley College, said: “We had tremendous support from the local business community, including Travis Perkins who donated materials and resources to help build the cart and South Yorkshire Fire Service who loaned uniforms for the team to wear at the race.

“It was great to be involved with this fun event and winning this award is a fantastic end to a really enjoyable day.”

 

Featured picture: The Barnsley College Fireman Sam racing team

Student Luena Martinez hopes to inspire others through X Factor appearance

Seventeen-year-old Luena Martinez hopes to inspire other musically-inclined students to follow their dreams after an “incredible experience” on ITV talent show, the X Factor.

She appeared on the televised round of the TV show after getting through room auditions and boot camp, and sang a cover of Snow Patrol’s ‘Run’. Despite her talent, she was replaced at the last minute during the show’s ‘Six Chair Challenge’ in favour of fellow performer, Olivia Garcia.

Luena is a student at SoundSkool, a London-based non-profit organisation that runs full-time, year-long music courses for 16-18 year olds.

She is among the first students to study for a Level 2 Artist Development and Business course, as part of a new partnership launched with the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) this year.

Speaking of her time on the show, Luena said: “It was hard to take getting so close, but an incredible experience, and it was amazing to perform in front of 5,000 people. I couldn’t have asked for a better reaction.

“Hopefully, I’ve shown others you can be on X Factor, or do anything you want if you just put your mind to it, work hard and practice. I wanted to be a singer and I’ve stuck with that. Don’t put yourself down. You can do it!”

 

Picture: Luena on the popular primetime ITV show

FEATURE: Quirky college chaplain preaches to the choir on Songs of Praise

Inundated with television offers and featured in numerous newspaper articles, being the centre of a media storm is all in a day’s work for Bath College’s resident chaplain, Rob Popejoy. Samantha King reports.

Rob Popejoy could perhaps be described as unconventional in appearance. His job as a college chaplain may conjure prejudice as to how he should appear, but his head-to-toe religious tattoos, passion for motorbikes and hipster-esque beard shatter those preconceptions.

After a Bath student’s college article about him went viral, Rob became something of a celebrity. Dubbed “The Holy Hipster” and “Coolest-ever Clergyman” in the national headlines, he was soon approached about making media appearances – perhaps most bizarrely, ITVs Love Island – which he declined.

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Rob poses for a student photography project

Rob said: “I get maybe two or three phone calls a year from TV producers. Some things I’m keen on and other bits, like Love Island, I’m not so keen on.

“What was odd with the Love Island request was that the guy contacted me through Facebook, and at the time, my profile picture was me with my wife and child, so I did wonder what he was thinking.”

I get maybe two or three phone calls a year from TV producers

However, Rob’s most recent appearance on long-running religious show Songs of Praise is something he hopes will make the most impact; not only challenging perceptions of what a chaplain should look like, but also how those who undertake a chaplaincy can get out of their church and involved in their communities.

He said: “I hope that viewers are challenged by what it is to be religious, and by what it is to be spiritual and to have a faith. Also, that you don’t always have to fit in to this kind of stereotype that everyone feels is out there.”

Appearing on the show for four minutes, Rob is depicted talking about his tattoos – his favourite being a huge portrait of Jesus across his chest – as well as his hobbies and job, which is split between the college and the church, due to being “match-funded”.

Rob explains: “I’m half paid by the church and half paid by the college. So it’s quite nice, it means it works out for both groups of people really.”

 

rob-popejoy-social2
Rob’s recent appearance on BBC show Songs of Praise

Rob’s role at Bath College is mainly working within the student participation team. Covering everything from religion to body image, he describes his role as “essentially anything that is additional to the curricular stuff.”

Speaking of his position, he said: “When people hear ‘chaplain’ they think of vicar straightaway – or Charlie Chaplain. But the job gives you permission and the opportunity to talk about religion.

“Sometimes it isn’t what people want to hear about, but it does affect a lot of our world so it’s how I can meld the two together and help students understand just how much religion impacts the world they live in.”

When people hear ‘chaplain’ they think of vicar straightaway – or Charlie Chaplain

His unconventional appearance for a chaplain has also clearly fired the imagination of college photography students, who have used him as a model for their photoshoots (as reported on by FE Week in October 2014).

In terms of his own religion, Rob grew up in a church-going family, and was baptised at the age of ten.

Despite his faith, Rob still had time for teenage rebellion, saying, “When I was 15, my mum said to me, you don’t have to come to church anymore if you don’t want to. Naturally, as a teenager, I took that. I had a couple of years out, but when I was 18 I decided to come back to it.”

Apprenticeship standards without assessment organisations should not be approved for delivery

Dr Pember is absolutely right to be mad with the government for exposing apprentices to so much needless anxiety over unknown end point assessment organisations.

And it is frankly absurd that a funding body is maintaining the list of approved awarding organisations, when we have a perfectly good watchdog that could and should do the job in Ofqual.

Surely we owe it to all students, not just those following an academic route, to properly regulate their tests?

The Skills Funding Agency is already swamped with preparing for the levy, area reviews, devolution, dishing out loans funding and financial assurance.

And let’s not forget this is an issue for existing students, not about what may or may not be ready for levy launch next year.

Until apprenticeship standards have appropriate assessment organisations in place they should not be approved for delivery.

That much, to me, is obvious.

Movers & Shakers: Edition 186

Your weekly guide to who’s new, and who’s leaving.

 

Berkeley Green University Technical College has appointed Rhian Priest as its group principal.

The college is due to open in September 2017, and will provide specialist training facilities for the science, technology, engineering and manufacturing industries.

Ms Priest, who began her career in education as a maths teacher 25 years ago, will take on the role alongside her current position as principal of Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy (BTEA).

She joined BTEA in 2013 as founding principal, and under her leadership the UTC has seen some of the highest GCSE pass rates in the West of England region, three years after opening; with 40 per cent of their sixth form students gaining apprenticeships with organisations such as Rolls Royce, Airbus and Dyson.

Speaking of her new appointment, Ms Priest said: “Berkeley Green UTC shows huge promise and will offer new and exciting opportunities for young people across the region.
“I’m looking forward to being a part of the journey leading towards its opening in September 2017 and beyond.”

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Clair Mowbray has been appointed as CEO of the new National College for High Speed Rail, which is due to open in September 2017.

The college, which comprises of sites in Birmingham and Doncaster, is one of five new national, employer-led colleges being created by the government.

Before taking on the role as chief executive, Ms Mowbray was business director at the college, seeing it through the stages of initial development.

Her new role as chief executive will involve establishing the curriculum at the college and develop a staffing model that brings together industry experts with a permanent core of staff.

She will also oversee establishing the college’s brand, taking it from its beginnings as a Department for Education policy all the way through to delivery.

Speaking of her plans for the new role, Ms Mowbray said: “My first strategy is to ensure that we are attracting a diverse audience into the college, and starting to redefine common perceptions of what engineering and the rail sector is all about”.

She states that it will be her stakeholder management skills that will be most useful in her new position, saying: “If employers aren’t central to this college then we will have failed in our mission to be industry focussed.

“It is a rare and unique opportunity to create something that starts to really focus on employer and sectoral needs.”

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Ben Manning has been appointed as vice principal for curriculum and quality at City College Plymouth.

The college in south west England currently has an Ofsted rating of ‘Good’, and holds particular significance for Mr Manning, who not only studied at the college himself, but also met his wife while working there.

He first joined the college in 2005 as a lecturer in public services, working his way up to director of quality and improvement in 2011. The role included monitoring and improving the college’s performance and directly managing curriculum areas; all skills that will be relevant in his new position.

Mr Manning is most looking forward to continuing to “support young people who will form the basis of the future workforce” in his new role.

He said: “It is crucial to me that our work continues to inform and engage young people and employers, developing young people’s skills and employability with opportunities that are relevant, fresh and exciting.”

 

If you want to let us know of any new faces at the top of your college, training provider or awarding organisation, please let us know by emailing news@feweek.co.uk

Transparency questions raised over cash for consultants

Consultants working with colleges on FE and skills area reviews have been paid £3.5m in ‘transition grants’, FE Week can reveal.

But the Department for Education has refused to reveal which companies the money is going to, raising serious questions about transparency.

Previous requests by FE Week for information on the number of grants that had been paid out so far, and the total amount of money involved, were dismissed by the Department for Education.

However, FE Week has been leaked minutes from the government’s area review advisory group meeting last month, which said: “As at the end of August, 43 transition grant applications with a total value of just under £3m has already been approved.”

After being informed of this, the DfE admitted that 50 grants totalling £3.5m had been approved up to this week.

But it would still not say where the money had gone, what specifically it had been spent on, or how big the total pot of cash available for the payouts was.

A director from a leading audit firm, who did not wish to be named, said the lack of transparency was “unacceptable”.

They also called into question whether the grants, which are available to colleges to pay for outside experts to help them implement area review recommendations, could potentially create a conflict of interest for the FE commissioner Sir David Collins’ advisers.

Since the transition grants opened for application in April, a number of companies have been promoting their consultancy services as being eligible for funding through the grants.

These include AoC Create, which advertised for new ‘change consultants’ at almost the same time as the grants were launched.

A director from a leading audit firm, who did not wish to be named, said the lack of transparency was “unacceptable”

The adverts, which specifically refer to the transition grants, were seeking new consultants to “provide advice and guidance on the implementation of restructuring and transformation recommendations”.

Skills required of the consultants include commercial, project management, financial and estates planning – all of which are eligible for funding through the transition grant.

FE Week asked AoC Create if any of its consultants, whether existing or new, were also employed by the DfE as an FE Commissioner adviser, but a spokesperson refused to say.

The transition grants are administered by the transactions unit, run jointly by the Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency.

As publicised on .gov.uk, this is led by Matthew Atkinson, who is on secondment from finance and audit firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers.

transition-grants

The firm provides financial services to 26 colleges, according to 2014/15 accounts published by the SFA.

PwC was also involved in drafting the as-yet unpublished due diligence framework for colleges post-area review.

This work was promoted in a blog post on its PwC in the West website, dated September 14, which has subsequently been removed.

A spokesperson told FE Week that it was “not engaged to provide services funded by this source of funds [transition grants]”.

He also denied that there was any conflict of interest in PwC promoting its involvement with the due diligence framework, and claimed that the blog had only been taken down due to a switch to a new regional website on September 23.

The DfE took responsibility for area reviews and transition grants, following the decision to transfer the skills training remit to the department over the summer.

FE Week understands its mandarins are now taking a close look at any potential conflicts of interest.

A DfE spokesperson told FE Week that there were clear rules in place to prevent this, and that FE advisers had to declare any interest that could influence their judgement.

He added: “Advisers regularly declare conflicts where they arise and withdraw from FE commissioner work where there could otherwise be a perception of conflict.

“No evidence has been presented to us that these rules have been breached.”

fe-commissioner-office