Introducing… Christine Ricketts

Propelled rapidly upwards when her predecessor left, Christine Ricketts has been a steady hand on the wheel following troubled times at Brooklands College, in Surrey. 

She had long aspired to be a deputy principal when Christine Ricketts spotted the advert for the role at Brooklands College, on the far outskirts of south-west London.

She went for it, and just four years later, she’s the principal, stepping into the top job after the college became embroiled in one of the biggest scandals in further education in recent years. The former principal left sharpish in March last year, and Ricketts was propelled rapidly upwards

Tasked with steering Brooklands out of FE commissioner intervention, and on an income that’s dropped significantly since she arrived, it’s what some might call a brutal introduction to the top job. But Ricketts strikes you as one of the least self-pitying, most resilient people around. 

Christine (far left) with siblings, 1970s

“No, I didn’t expect to be principal this quickly!” she laughs. Her resilience may be rooted in an unusually deep level of commitment to the college – Brooklands was where Ricketts first trained as a teacher at the age of 23. Not only that, but she stayed for an extraordinary 16 years before moving on to jobs in other colleges. In a way, Ricketts is Brooklands’ home-grown talent returned to rescue the family reputation. “I suppose there is an emotional attachment for me at Brooklands,” she says with characteristic briskness.

Rescuing the college was never the plan, though. In fact, Ricketts had left Brooklands in 2011 after it hit financial difficulties a few years earlier and restructures came in. When she saw the deputy principal position five years later, all looked well again. “The college was back on track, it had a ‘good’ Ofsted,” she explains. “The college was in a really positive place.”

It didn’t last long: in 2018 FE Week revealed the college was subcontracting out a huge proportion of its apprenticeship provision to a mysterious provider that seemed unable to explain where its training centres were. The government soon demanded the college pay back £20 million. 

It was a “stressful time”, admits Ricketts. But she comes out with heartfelt praise for the FE commissioner Richard Atkins’s team. “Rather than a negative, I’ve found the support of the commissioner’s team absolutely vital. They were really supportive. Although at first it felt as though we were being ‘done to’, as we moved through it, trust and confidence built as they could see we were trying to take the college in the right direction.” 

With all apprenticeship provision now coming inhouse, the college’s income has taken a real hit. Yet she and her team secured a ‘good’ Ofsted report just before Christmas. “Leaders have worked very hard and successfully to improve the quality of education in the last 18 months,” says the report. It’s a significant achievement, and you can imagine that as the scandal unfolded, someone with Ricketts’ no-nonsense, roll-up-your-sleeves attitude was a point of calm amid the storm. “Yes, we’ve got all this noise going on with finances, but we’re here for the students and they come first. We have to make sure they aren’t impacted.”

It seems testament to Ricketts’ willingness to frankly analyse and troubleshoot that she was entrusted to lead the college after the scandal. My only question is why Ricketts, as deputy principal, was kept entirely out of decisions about the apprenticeship subcontracting, which she says was handled by her former boss. “In terms of the way it was structured, apprenticeships were set up as a separate unit.” She has now changed the set-up so that apprenticeship provision will be increasingly delivered from within the college, with curriculum directors given direct responsibility for them at last. “That is the way apprenticeship provision works best, I think.” 

Born in Essex to Geordie parents, as she puts it, Ricketts’ mother was a primary school teacher and her father a graphic designer. Rural life was “idyllic” and she says she was “very happy at school – keen and hard-working”. Her sister studied fashion while she did a foundational art diploma before studying fine art in Dundee, and both are now teachers (they also have a brother). “So in a way, we’ve both taken a bit from each of my parents. Our house was a very creative environment growing up, my father was always drawing.” Ricketts says she “lost herself a bit” during her A-levels and would have done better doing BTECs, meaning she “often thinks about young people and the opportunities they have open to them and their sense of direction”.

It was her brother – a “bit of a rebel” – re-sitting his GCSEs at Brooklands College who told her they were looking for an art teacher. She trained on the job and came under the wing of a senior member of staff who, in another full-circle story, is now one of her governors. “She encouraged me and made me aware of an opportunity to work cross-college rather than in art and design. And that’s when I really got the hunger for working strategically. That’s when I started to think I wanted to be a deputy principal.”

Being principal didn’t appeal so much because Ricketts thought it would take her too far from her main interest: the students. However, she was also deeply career-focused. “Every two or three years, I managed to go up into a more senior position. If I hadn’t had that I would definitely have left. I was always ambitious, always thinking what skills I could learn while doing a role to help me move on to the next.” 

Christine (far left) with siblings, 1980s

Ricketts has an unrelenting ability to turn potentially tumultuous events into a major positive in her life. “When I left university, I was pregnant. I think that was a real driver for me in that I was determined to still have the career I wanted. Me and my husband are quite proud of how we managed that time and came through it. It enriched my drive.”

Soon she was head of faculty for foundation studies, covering adult, special educational needs and lower-level provision up to level 2. After the college ran into financial difficulties (not for the last time) Ricketts moved on for the first time in her career, to Richmond College, where she stayed for two years. Her next few jobs taught her a lot about staff management. “The culture there was more unionised and it still is. It was about learning the role and meeting the challenges.” 

She and her husband had a holiday home on the Kent coast, so Ricketts took a job as assistant principal at East Kent College for two years. “I didn’t feel I was where I wanted to be in terms of my career. I felt my confidence was growing.” Frustrated and in the face of another re-structure, this time Ricketts headed over to Lambeth College, where she worked with the English and maths staff teams as a “kind of troubleshooter” for five months. “I absolutely loved that job. I learnt so much. I was going back to working closely with a team. I learnt how important the dynamics in a team are.” 

Ever since, Ricketts says she has thought carefully about how leadership decisions might affect staff. “I got a sense of understanding why they were frustrated with systems and processes, and I would go back to the vice principal and say, ‘they’re not just being difficult, they physically don’t have the time or resources’. Now as a senior leader, I always go back to that time. I think, ‘if we do that, I just need to check the impact of that.’” 

Then she spotted the deputy principal job at Brooklands. “I thought, ooh, I’ve always wanted that post! If it’s meant to be, I’ll get it.” It brought her full circle after a great journey around the colleges of the south that had lasted only five years – a crash-course in roles that taught her how other college environments worked, none of which held her for very long. Now it looks like she’s here to stay. 

“I’m often heard talking about a ‘sustainable college’,” she says. “Whether as a merged institution or stand-alone, it’s about making sure there’s a college here.” 

Having trained within its walls, Ricketts is probably more invested in Brooklands than most. “I’m resilient. I think that’s one word that’s in my DNA.”

It looks like she’s already imparting some of that back into the college.

Colleges aren’t expecting a bailout – they want to help with a ‘September promise’

Colleges in England look set to lose around £150 million of their income, 2 per cent of turnover, in the last term of this academic year. Most will be able to cope with that after using the government’s job retention scheme and negotiating open-book deals with key suppliers; some will need cashflow support.

Next year, colleges will benefit from their grant-funded 16 to 18 study programmes and adult education budgets being largely protected, reflecting their non-profit, charitable status.  That will give them some security on about 60 per cent on average of their turnover, with enormous uncertainty about income from apprenticeships, student fees, commercial training, other commercial income and higher education. There are sectors that will fare much worse, but it’s still very tough; although, I’d imagine many ITPs would prefer that scenario to their own.

This week I wrote to the Secretary of State for Education, Gavin Williamson setting out this financial position. Stating that after ten years of neglect, colleges generally do not have the strong financial position you would want going into this crisis. Not that we are expecting any kind of bailout – the government is already borrowing more than ever before to cope with the unprecedented spending that they have embarked upon.

My letter makes a simple point: that colleges have shown during this crisis just how vital they are to millions of students, the communities in which they operate and the employers they support. Their switch to online learning has been swift and effective, their civic acts have been heart-warming and far-reaching. Crucially their role in supporting nearly 700,000 young people and over a million adults has continued unabated.

But the real message in my letter is this– colleges are vital now, but they are even more important for the recovery we all want to see. We have asked the Secretary of State to continue working with us to secure new investment and flexibilities in how funding can be used to support people in these unprecedented times. I’m confident that we will achieve both because the labour market conditions facing young people and adults will be so tough this autumn that not investing in the people impacted would be an obvious grave mistake.

Commentators from all sides are clear that unemployment will balloon, leaving graduates and experienced adults competing for every job. In that environment we know that young people will suffer because of their lack of experience and apprenticeships will be harder to come by. Whilst adults will be able to quickly re-cycle into new jobs if they get some training and support to use their transferable skills and enhance them as needed.

We’ve asked the government to offer a September Promise for every 16 to 18-year-old. This would ensure that colleges had the capacity and resources to be able to offer a flexible study programme to around 100,000 extra young people who will be unable to find work or an apprenticeship. The funding is important, but so is the flexibility to design a programme which supports them whilst they are seeking work and hopefully work with an employer willing to make the job an apprenticeship.

We are also asking for a new programme aimed at 19 to 24 year olds struggling to find work. To bring together the National Skills Fund, National Retraining Scheme and potentially the new Shared Prosperity Fund with the adult education budget to provide colleges with the resource to support adults needing shorter training courses to quickly get back into work.

All these investments need to be funded at the right rate and with the flexibilities to deliver with agility. Our final ask is for the some of the capital funding announced in March to be brought forward to support colleges to invest in IT hardware and software and to prepare college buildings for opening safely in the autumn.

Colleges want to serve their communities; they have shown that in recent weeks. With the right investment and support from government, they will be central to the recovery we all want to see. 

Ofsted releases reports for inspections pre-Covid – but only the positive ones

Ofsted has begun publishing FE and skills inspection reports again.

Four new reports, based on pre-coronavirus visits, appeared on the inspectorate’s website today including two ‘good’ full inspections and two early monitoring apprenticeship verdicts that scored ‘reasonable progress’ across the board.

The watchdog had paused the publication of all further education and skills reports, apart from social care inspections, on the 20 March owing to the ongoing pandemic.

They had planned to publish them only when teaching returns to normal, but later said they would release them sooner if requested by individual providers.

Ofsted, which has also suspended all routine inspections until further notice, previously told FE Week it was sitting on 50 FE and skills reports that had been completed before the Covid-19 outbreak.

FE Week has asked the watchdog for a breakdown of the results of those 50.

The last time an FE and skills full inspection or monitoring visit report was published before today was 19 March.

The two ‘good’ full inspections were for private providers CSR Scientific Training Limited, based in the West Midlands, and Apprentice Team Ltd (ATL), based in Chesterfield.

CSR trains almost 200 apprentices on science-based standards. Working in “clinical, structured and orderly environments”, the trainees develop a “resilience which enables them to work under pressure,” according to today’s report.

Ofsted found that the apprentices are “exceptionally motivated to achieve their qualification” and have a “very positive and proactive attitude” to become, for example, a biomedical scientist or cardiac practitioner.

Leaders and managers were praised for having established “strong and productive partnerships with professional institutions and employers such as The Royal Society of Chemistry and the National Physical Laboratory – tailoring training to the sector’s needs”.

Meanwhile, ATL’s leaders and managers were lauded for having an “ambitious vision for the organisation, focused on the company’s core area of expertise in business administration and customer service”.

They train around 120 apprentices and 20 adult learners, who are “highly motivated” and are taught by “well qualified staff” who provide “good-quality individual sessions”.

One of the ‘reasonable progress’ monitoring reports released today was for the University of Northampton, which trains 65 nursing associate apprentices at level 5 who work at hospitals and medical centres in the local area.

Inspectors said leaders have a “clear rationale” for the programme as it is “responsive to regional and national staff shortages in high-quality nursing care in the public and the private sectors” and represents a “significant stepping stone towards a career in nursing for mature entrants to the profession”.

Dick White Academy, based in Cambridgeshire, was the other provider to be judged making ‘reasonable progress’ in all areas of an early monitoring visit.

It trains just under 40 apprentices on animal care and veterinary nursing standards – which were chosen by the provider’s directors to “remedy national and local shortages”.

Off-the-job training was described by inspectors as “high quality”, and they noted how apprentices have access to the staff and facilities at Dick White Referrals Limited, one of the largest private specialist veterinary referral centres in Europe.

Free recording: Latest FE sector response and requirements to coronavirus

FE Week was joined by Labour’s new shadow apprenticeships minister Toby Perkins yesterday for our latest webinar on the response to the coronavirus pandemic for the FE and skills sector.

Hot topics included the government’s supplier relief scheme for training providers as well as former education minister Andrew Adonis’ controversial comments on school and college online learning efforts.

We was also joined by the chief executive of the Association of Colleges David Hughes and chief executive of the Association of Employment and Learning Providers Mark Dawe, as well as Dame Ruth Silver, the president of our new webcast sponsor FETL.

Lastly, FE Week editor Nick Linford ran viewers through the latest guidance on furloughing staff. You can download his slides here.

And you can watch the full webinar here.

These webcasts will take place every Monday at 14:00-15:30 for the next five weeks. Register for them here.

Revealed: 576 ‘crucial’ qualifications assigned the DfE’s £400 funding uplift

Almost 600 qualifications for 16 to 18 year-old students that are “crucial for the Labour market” have been chosen to receive a £400 funding uplift by the Department for Education.

In November, the DfE announced that they would introduce a ‘High Value Courses Premium’ (HVCP) for certain subjects in addition to the per student unweighted base rate rising 4.7 per cent from £4,000 to £4,188.

Only substantial provision in the sectors of engineering, manufacturing technologies, transport operations and maintenance, building and construction, ICT for practitioners were eligible for the HVCP – which is £400 on top of the £4,188.

A list of 576 of qualifications in those sectors, all at level three, selected for the premium has been released.

The DfE reiterated that this is 16 to 19 funding to “encourage delivery of selected level 3 courses in subjects that are crucial for the labour market, lead to higher wage returns and, ultimately, a more productive economy”.

Here is the list in full:

Qualification title
Awarding organisation
Level
Sector subject area tier 2
Qualification type
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ in Domestic Natural Gas Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Mathematics (MEI)
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
WJEC Advanced GCE in Mathematics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
CCEA Advanced GCE in Mathematics
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Mathematics
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Statistics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Pure Mathematics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
CCEA Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Pure Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics (MEI)
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Pure Mathematics (MEI)
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OCR Advanced GCE in Pure Mathematics
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
WJEC Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
WJEC Advanced GCE in Pure Mathematics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
AIM Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
AIM Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
Cambridge Access Validating Agency
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Physics and Engineering
Cambridge Access Validating Agency
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
Open Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Electronic Engineering
Open Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing and ICT
Open Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
Cambridge Access Validating Agency
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Maths and Engineering
One Awards (Formerly Open College Network North East Region)
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
One Awards (Formerly Open College Network North East Region)
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Built Environment
One Awards (Formerly Open College Network North East Region)
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
One Awards (Formerly Open College Network North East Region)
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
Certa
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
Certa
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Sustainable Construction and the Built Environment
Certa
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Computing
Open College Network West Midlands
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering
Open College Network West Midlands
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Electronics and Computer Engineering
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering Science and Maths
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering Science
Ascentis
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Construction and Civil Engineering
Open College Network West Midlands
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Information Technology)
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to Higher Education Diploma: Engineering combined with Construction
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Environmental Engineering)
Open Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (ICT and Computing)
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Games Development)
Cambridge Access Validating Agency
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Built Environment)
Open College Network London Region
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computing)
Open College Network London Region
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Construction and Civil Engineering)
LASER Learning Awards
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computing and Electronics)
Cambridge Access Validating Agency
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Construction)
Ascentis
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Construction)
Open Awards
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Food Technology)
Ascentis
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Web Design and Digital Media)
Ascentis
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Building; Civil Engineering and Construction)
Open College Network West Midlands
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Construction and Built Environment)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Digital and Creative Media)
Certa
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computing)
Open Awards
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Engineering)
Open College Network London Region
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Electronics and Computer Engineering)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Engineering Science and Maths)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Engineering)
Laser Learning Awards
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (IT and Product Design )
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Engineering Science and Maths)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computing)
Certa
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Engineering)
Certa
Level 3
Engineering
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Electronics with Software Engineering)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computer Systems Engineering)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
Access to HE Diploma (Computer Science and Maths)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
ICT practitioners
QAA Access to Higher Education Diploma
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Systems and Control Technology
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology
OCR
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Product Design (3-D Design)
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Food Technology
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Product Design (Textiles)
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Electronics
OCR
Level 3
Engineering
GCE A Level
WJEC Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
WJEC Level 3 Advanced GCE in Electronics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Engineering
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate in Mathematics (Principal)
Cambridge Assessment International Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
  
Cambridge International Level 3 Pre-U Certificate in Further Mathematics (Principal)
Cambridge Assessment International Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Shopfitting Bench Joinery
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Roof Slating and Tiling
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Wall and Floor Tiling
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
PAA\VQSET Level 3 Diploma in Downstream Field Operations
PAA\VQSET
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
PAA\VQSET Level 3 Diploma in Downstream Control Room Operations
PAA\VQSET
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Operations and Maintenance Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Electrical/Electronic Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in IT (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in IT (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Mechanical, Electrical and Trim (MET) Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Auto Electrical and Mobile Electrical Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Power Plant Maintenance (Electrical) (NVQ)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Power Plant Maintenance (Control & Instrumentation) (NVQ)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Power Plant Maintenance (NVQ)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Body Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair Paint Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Auto Electrical and Mobile Electrical Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Paint Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in in Accident Repair Body Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance and Repair Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Business-Improvement Techniques
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair Body Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Accident Repair MET Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Technology
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians (Institution of Civil Engineers)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Technology
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Blacksmithing and Metalworking (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering Technology (Progressive)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Mechanical Engineering Technology (Progressive)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Maintenance Engineering Technology (Progressive)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Systems Support
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Maintaining Electrotechnical Systems)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrotechnical Services (Electrical Maintenance)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Installing Electrotechnical Systems and Equipment (Buildings, Structures and the Environment)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Body Building Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Sales Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Fitting Supervisory Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma In Shipping and Maritime Operations
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Body Building Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Sales Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance (Mechelec)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Lift Truck Maintenance and Repair Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Lift Truck Maintenance and Repair Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers and Leisure
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma for Gas Emergency First Call Operative
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure and Domestic Space Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Bus and Coach Engineering and Maintenance (Body) (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Electrical Power Engineering – Wind Turbine Operations and Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for Gas Emergency First Call Operative
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure and Domestic Space Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure and Domestic Space Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance: Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating, Wet Central Heating and Domestic Warm Air
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure and Domestic Space Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation: Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers, Leisure, Domestic Space Heating, Water Heating, Wet Central Heating and Domestic Warm Air
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Cookers, Tumble Dryers and Leisure
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Domestic Space Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Planned and Reactive Maintenance on Heating and Ventilating Systems
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heating and Ventilating Industrial and Commercial Installation
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Marine Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Process Technology
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
PAA\VQSET Level 3 Diploma In Signmaking Technology
PAA\VQSET
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Parts Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Power Engineering – Distribution and Transmission (Technical Knowledge)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Installation and Commissioning
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water & Central Heating Appliances)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation Installation and Maintenance: Water Heating and Wet Central Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Toolmaking
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
IMI Level 3 Extended Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Marine Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Woodworking, Pattern and Model Making
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Automotive Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma for On-Aircraft Maintenance – Category A
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Aircraft Maintenance (Civil Aircraft Mechanical)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Aircraft Maintenance (Civil Aircraft Electrical and Avionics)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Aircraft Maintenance (Military Aircraft Electrical and Avionics)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Aircraft Maintenance (Military Aircraft Mechanical)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Aircraft Maintenance (Military Aircraft Weapons Maintenance)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Furniture Design and Making
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
CABWI Level 3 Diploma In Water Engineering
CABWI Awarding Body
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Maintenance
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Marine Construction, Systems Engineering and Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Survival Equipment Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Furniture Restoration
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering – Marine
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Engineering Construction
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Power Engineering – Wind Turbine Maintenance (Technical Knowledge)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
IMI Level 3 Extended Diploma In Motorsport Vehicle Maintenance and Repair (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Engineering
  
FDQ Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology and Management
FDQ Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering – Weapons Engineering Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Furnishings – Traditional Upholstery
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Furnishings – Modern Upholstery
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Wood Machining – CNC Machines
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Wood Machining
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Formwork
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Construction Occupations
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in IT (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Engineering (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering – Armourers
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Engineering – Military Vehicles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Subsidiary Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Vehicle Technology (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Technology (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Vehicle Technology (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Diploma In Fabrication and Welding Practice
Skills and Education Group Awards
Level 3
Engineering
  
PIABC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Machining
PIABC Ltd
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plumbing Studies
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installations (Buildings and Structures)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Caravan and Motorhome Maintenance and Repair
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
BPEC NVQ Level 3 Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating (Gas Fired Water and Central Heating Appliances)
BPEC Certification Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Aviation Operations (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Operations (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Aviation Operations (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aviation Operations (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Vehicle Damage Assessor Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Trowel Occupations (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Lantra Awards Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Fencing
Lantra Awards
Level 3
Building and construction
  
BPEC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Plumbing and Heating
BPEC Certification Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
FDQ Level 3 Diploma In Professional Bakery
FDQ Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
BPEC Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Domestic Heating
BPEC Certification Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing Painting and Decorating (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IWFM Level 3 Diploma in Facilities Management
Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Trowel Occupations (Construction)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma for Assessors of Accident Damaged Vehicles
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Site Carpentry
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Bench Joinery
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Bricklaying
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
LCL Awards Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation: Core Skills and Knowledge
Logic Certification Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Metal Processing and Allied Operations
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Accessing Operations and Rigging (Construction)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Composite Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma In Maritime Studies: Officer of the Watch on Merchant Vessels of less than 3,000 gross tonnage (Near Coastal)
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Painting and Decorating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Site Carpentry (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Painting and Decorating (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Bench Joinery (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry – Banker (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Mastic Asphalting (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Installation
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
BPEC Level 3 Diploma In Plumbing Foundation
BPEC Certification Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Materials Processing and Finishing
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Technical Support
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Technical Support
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Extended NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma In Fabrication and Welding Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma In Aeronautical Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Technical Support
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Plastering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment (QCF)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Thermal Insulation (Construction)
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Shopfitting Joinery
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
TLM Level 3 Diploma in Open Systems Computing
The Learning Machine
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Underpinning Knowledge for Heritage Skills (Construction): Traditional Craft Masonry
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Heritage Skills (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Underpinning Knowledge for Heritage Skills (Construction): Traditional Wood Occupations
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
WCSM Level 3 Diploma In Manufacturing Spectacles
Worshipful Company of Spectacle Makers
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Engineering Technical Support
ETC Awards Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
ETCAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Engineering
ETC Awards Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
FDQ Level 3 Diploma in Gourmet Food
FDQ Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Electrical Power Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Maintenance
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Ascentis Level 3 Diploma in Digital Learning Design
Ascentis
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Rail Engineering Overhead Line Construction
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Blacksmithing
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction) (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma In Jewellery Manufacturing CAD/CAM
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma In Jewellery and Silverware Manufacturing
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Preparing to Work in Renewable Energy Engineering
NCFE
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Manufacturing CAD/CAM
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
IMI Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery and Silverware Manufacturing
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Classic Vehicle Restoration Principles (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Classic Vehicle Restoration Competence
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Stonemasonry
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Contracting Operations
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Built Environment Design
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Building and construction
  
GQA Level 3 Diploma In Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology A
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
EAL Level 3 Diploma In Engineering Technology – Motorsport
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering (720)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Engineering (540)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Constructing the Built Environment (720)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Constructing the Built Environment (540)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Constructing the Built Environment
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Digital Technologies (720)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in Digital Technologies
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate In Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Electrical Installation
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Engineering Technology
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Manufacturing Technologies
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Plumbing
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Computer Science
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in Engineering
OCR
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in Engineering
OCR
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in Engineering
OCR
Level 3
Engineering
  
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology
AQA Education
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Vehicle Sales Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Vehicle Sales Principles
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B (Advancing Biology)
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics A
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics B (Advancing Physics)
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics
AQA Education
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Computer Science
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
GCE A Level
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plant Installations – Hoist (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plant Installations – Tower Crane (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Computer Science
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
ICT practitioners
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry A
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology A (Salters-Nuffield)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology B
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry B (Salters)
OCR
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Physics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Constructing the Built Environment (1080)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Biology
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry
AQA Education
Level 3
Science
GCE A Level
EAL Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering Technologies
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma In Engineering Technologies
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
AIM Qualifications Level 3 Diploma in Renewable Energy System Skills
AIM Qualifications
Level 3
Engineering
  
ETCAL Level 3 Diploma in Engineering
ETC Awards Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
ETA Level 3 Diploma In Process Technology
ETC Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NCFE Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals
NCFE
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma In Gas Utilisation
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
OAL Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Furniture and Wood Processing Technician (CNC Machining)
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
AQA Level 3 Foundation Technical Level Engineering
AQA Education
Level 3
Engineering
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering: Mechatronic Engineering
AQA Education
Level 3
Engineering
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level Engineering: Design Engineering
AQA Education
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair – Paint (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair – Body (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
AQA Level 3 Foundation Technical Level IT: Cyber Security
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Foundation Technical Level IT: Scripting and App Programming
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Foundation Technical Level IT: Technical Support
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Cyber Security and Security Administration
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Networking
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: Programming
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
AQA Level 3 Technical Level IT: User Support
AQA Education
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plumbing (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Bricklaying (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Auto-Electrical and Mobile Electrical Operations (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Electrical Installation (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Vehicle Accident Repair – Multi-Skilled (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Extended Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Heavy Vehicle Maintenance (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Diploma in Motorcycle Maintenance (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
IMI Level 3 Extended Diploma in Motorsport Maintenance (VRQ)
The Institute of the Motor Industry
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business Information Systems
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Science
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Systems and Network Support
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computing for Creative Industries
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Computing
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computing
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Computing
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
EAL Level 3 Electrotechnical Qualification
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Certificate in the Automotive Industry
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in the Automotive Industry (720)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Thermal Insulation (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Plastering (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Site Carpentry (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Architectural Joinery (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Advanced Technical Diploma in Painting and Decorating (450)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Information Technology
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computer Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Computer Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 NationalFoundationDiploma in Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Occupational Work Supervision (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma In Furnishings – Mattress Making
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma In Furnishings – Modern Upholstery
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma In Furniture Design and Making
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma In Wood Machining – CNC Machines
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma In Wood Machining
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
TQUK Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction) (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Gas Utilisation
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Occupations (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Gateway Qualifications Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction)
Gateway Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Open College Network West Midlands Level 3 NVQ Extended Diploma in Engineering Maintenance (Servicing Medical Equipment)
Open College Network West Midlands
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Plant Maintenance (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance (Development Competence)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Competence)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Award in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace and Aviation Engineering (Development Technical Knowledge)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Mechatronics Technician) (Development Competence)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aerospace Manufacturing (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Demolition (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Trowel Occupations (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting and Decorating (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in IT
OCR
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
OCR Level 3 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering
OCR
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plant Installations – Tower Crane (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plant Installations – Hoist (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Aviation Maintenance (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Knowledge
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Knowledge
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Competence
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Computing
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Information Technology
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
ICT practitioners
  
EAL Level 3 Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering Technologies
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Transport Planning
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Formwork (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Plastering
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Wood Occupations (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology (Product Design)
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Electronics
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Engineering
GCE A Level
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Interior Systems – Ceiling Fixing (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
WJEC Level 3 Applied Diploma in Professional Construction Practice
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Construction and the Built Environment
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Product Design and Development Technician (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Bricklaying
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics B (MEI)
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Machining (Development knowledge)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics A
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Fashion and Textiles (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Fashion and Textiles
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
TLM Level 3 Diploma in User Skills in Cloud Systems and Services (ITQ)
The Learning Machine
Level 3
ICT for users
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology (Design Engineering / Fashion and Textiles / Product Design)
OCR
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology: Product Design
AQA Education
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
WJEC Eduqas Level 3 Advanced GCE in Design and Technology (Fashion and Textiles/Product Design)
WJEC-CBAC
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
GCE A Level
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Refrigeration, Air-Conditioning and Heat Pump Systems
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Civil Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Civil Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Building Services Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Building Services Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Toolmaker and Tool & Die Maintenance (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics A
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
OCR Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics B (MEI)
OCR
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
OAL Level 3 Diploma in Food Technology
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance (Military)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Competence) – Machining
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Machining (Development Knowledge)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
AQA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Further Mathematics
AQA Education
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Design, Engineer, Construct! The Digital Built Environment (RQF)
Training Qualifications UK Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Cladding Operations (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SEG Awards ABC Level 3 Diploma in Fabrication and Welding Practice
Skills and Education Group Awards
Level 3
Engineering
  
Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Statistics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
GCE A Level
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Technical Support Technician (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
OAL Level 3 Diploma in Food and Drink Engineering Maintenance
Occupational Awards Limited
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Roofing Occupations (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
PIABC Level 3 Diploma in Polymer Processing
PIABC Ltd
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Development Competence)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Maritime Defence (Development Knowledge)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Aeronautical Engineering Survival Equipment Maintenance
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Heating and Ventilating Craftsperson Qualification (Industrial and Commercial
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 Diploma in the Installation of Pipework Components in Construction
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Rail Engineering Technician Knowledge
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Integrated Nuclear Engineering & Science (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma In Thermal Insulation
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Building and construction
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering – Fabricator (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Welding Construction Pipework
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
SQA Level 3 Diploma in Jewellery Design and Manufacturing
Scottish Qualifications Authority trading as SQA
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
Open Awards Level 3 Extended Certificate in Maritime Studies
Open Awards
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Lifting, Positioning and Installing Structures, Plant and Equipment (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Construction Maintenance (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
City & Guilds Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Plastering (Construction)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Gas Engineering
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Installing Engineering Construction Plant and Systems (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 Diploma in Fabricating Steel Structures in Construction
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Composites Engineering
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Engineering
  
GQA Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Thermal Insulation (Construction)
GQA Qualifications Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Boatbuilding (Advanced)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Engineering
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Design and Draughting (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
ECITB Level 3 Diploma in Project Controls Practice and Techniques (RQF)
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board
Level 3
Engineering
  
NOCN_Cskills Awards Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Tunnelling Operations – Tunnel Boring Machine Operator (Construction)
NOCN
Level 3
Building and construction
  
PAA\VQ-SET Level 3 Diploma for a Bulk Storage Operator (Technician)
PAA\VQSET
Level 3
Manufacturing technologies
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Mechatronics Maintenance Technician (Development Competence)
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Engineering
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Construction Plant or Machinery Maintenance (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Decorative Finishing – Painting & Decorating (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
Pearson Edexcel Advanced Extension Award in Mathematics
Pearson Education Ltd
Level 3
Mathematics and statistics
  
EAL Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
Excellence, Achievement & Learning Limited
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Building and construction
  
ProQual Level 3 NVQ Diploma in Supervising Licensed Asbestos Removal (Construction)
ProQual Awarding Body
Level 3
Building and construction
  
BPEC Level 3 Diploma in Plumbing and Domestic Heating
BPEC Certification Ltd
Level 3
Building and construction
  
City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Marine Engineering (Advanced)
City and Guilds of London Institute
Level 3
Transportation operations and maintenance
  

 

ESFA reveals calculations for the furloughed apprentice wage top-up

The Education and Skills Funding Agency has finally confirmed that the national minimum wage requirement for a furloughed apprentice applies to just the “training hours during the furlough period”.

In an email from a senior manager in the funding policy team, seen by FE Week, an explanation with two worked examples is provided (see below the line).

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A furloughed employee can take part in volunteer work or training, as long as it does not provide services to or generate revenue for, or on behalf of the employer.  Training in this context includes apprenticeship off-the-job training. Where their provider can continue to deliver training remotely, a furloughed apprentice can therefore continue their apprenticeship whilst furloughed.

Where training is undertaken by furloughed employees, at the request of the employer, they are entitled to be paid at least their appropriate national minimum wage for this time. In most cases, the furlough payment of 80% of an employee’s regular wage, up to the value of £2,500, will provide sufficient monies to cover these training hours. However, where the overall time spent training, during the furlough period, attracts a minimum wage entitlement in excess of the furlough payment, employers will need to pay the additional wages. This is because time spent training is treated as working time for the purposes of the minimum wage calculations and therefore must be paid at the appropriate rate, taking into account the increase in minimum wage rates from 1 April 2020.

Employers should consider the hours that an employee is expected to train during the period of the furlough (which must be a three-week minimum). Employers will need to ensure that the furlough payment provides sufficient monies to cover these training hours. Where the entire furlough payment equates to less than the appropriate minimum wage entitlement for the training hours during the furlough period, the employer will need to pay the additional wages to ensure at least the appropriate minimum wage is paid for the time spent training.

Our worked examples show how to calculate whether the furlough payment equates to less than the appropriate minimum wage entitlement for time spent training.

Example 1:

18 year old first year apprentice is on a 37 hours per week contract and has been furloughed.  They are continuing to training for 1 day per week (7.5 hours per week).

In terms of the National Minimum Wage Regulations they are entitled to £4.15 for every hour they train. (Note that the NMW legislation does not apply to time not in work or training).

Over the 3 week furlough period (the pay reference period) this amounts to a NMW entitlement of £93.38 (£4.15 x 7.5 hours x 3 weeks).

The 80% furlough payment that they have received from their employer is £368.  This furlough payment provides sufficient money to cover these training hours.

Example 2:

22 year old second year apprentice is on a 37 hours per week contract and has been furloughed.  They have agreed, with their employer and provider, to train for 4 days per week (7.5 hours per day) (to cover as much off-the-job training as possible during this period).

In terms of the National Minimum Wage Regulations they are entitled to £8.20 for every hour they train.  (Note that the NMW legislation does not apply to time not in work or training).

Over the 3 week furlough period (the pay reference period) this amounts to a NMW entitlement of £738 (£8.20 x 7.5 hours x 4 days x 3 weeks).

The 80% furlough payment that they have received from their employer is £728.16.  This furlough payment does not provide sufficient money to cover these training hours and the employer would need to top up the difference (£9.84).

*Note is both cases above the apprentice, prior to furlough, was paid at/close to the National Minimum Wage. 

Speed read: Highlights from our webinar with Gillian Keegan

FE Week was joined by apprenticeships minister Gillian Keegan on Monday for our latest webinar on the response to the coronavirus pandemic for the FE and skills sector.

Here were the main takeaway points.

 

‘Anomaly’ leaving majority of apprenticeships ineligible for ESFA supplier relief

The majority of apprenticeship providers are not eligible for supplier relief from the Department for Education because of the Cabinet Office’s “very specific” policy notice, Keegan said.

She described the support as an “anomaly”, which is “over and above” what almost all other businesses are receiving across the country, and explained that her team worked closely with Treasury to see what parts of the FE sector could use the coronavirus supplier relief scheme.

When asked why apprenticeships funded through the DfE’s digital system, mostly those with large levy-paying employers, are excluded, she said: “I will be honest, it did take us a little bit of time to come out with this. That was because the original purpose of that Cabinet Office notice was actually more for critical suppliers to government in terms of direct services to government, so people maybe operating prison services and all that kind of thing.

“So we had to work with Cabinet Office and Treasury to see if it related to this sector, and that is what resulted in that guidance on Friday. It really is only for those covered under that very specific Cabinet Office notice PPN 02/20.

“You need to look at this as quite specific, quite special under this Cabinet Office notice that has allowed a bit of extra support that goes to those where it has more of an impact, on small and medium-sized business apprenticeships and providers.”

She stopped short on the webcast of expanding on the contractual issue, which many in the sector have queried and on which the Association of Employment and Learning Providers is seeking legal advice.

 

It was tougher for ESFA to launch supplier relief than MCAs

The minister said some in the sector were concerned the ESFA was “deliberately trying not to” launch supplier relief for providers after mayoral combined authorities announced theirs within days of Cabinet Office’s guidance.

“None of that’s true,” she claimed. “We were trying to do as much as we possibly could, but it’s more difficult sometimes for the department to do it.

“You know we have to obviously get everything agreed through Treasury as well.

“We’re dealing with an awful lot of stuff, quite frankly, so it does make it a little bit more challenging.”

 

Starts pipeline is the ‘biggest worry’

Keegan said her “biggest worry” is the recruitment of new apprentices and how to keep the “whole pipeline going, with all this uncertainty” during the pandemic.

She claimed that the next “peak” for many apprenticeship starts is September, so “between now and then we really have to make sure that everybody is aware that furloughed and existing employees can start apprenticeships”.

She added that it will be crucial to inform school leavers of apprenticeships as a potential next option.

 

Minister ‘shocked’ at ‘rubbish’ apprenticeships in early stages of the levy

Keegan expressed concern at historic “low quality” apprenticeships delivery.

“I was quite shocked at some of the lower quality delivery that happened in the first stages of the levy being introduced, and I never want to go back to those days… I’ve met people on the doorstep who’ve actually said to me, this is a load of old rubbish. We have to make sure that every apprenticeship is quality.”

When pressed on whether she believed there was a correlation between low-paid and low-quality apprenticeships, she said: “No, not at all, low quality is low quality

“Low quality and low pay are not necessarily together, but low quality is low quality.”

 

Traineeships on DfE radar

Keegan was joined by Peter Mucklow, the director of further education at the Education & Skills Funding Agency, during the webcast.

Asked about whether the government was working on plans to add flexibilities to traineeships during the current crisis, as they have done for apprenticeships, Mucklow said “nothing specific” has been drawn up yet, “but that’s something we’re very happy to take away”.

“We will be looking at traineeships. It’s really quite tricky as obviously the work experience placement is such an important part of the qualification,” he added.

Keegan said there are “difficulties in delivering the work placement for traineeships, so they’re looking at that right now”.

 

‘A big thank you from me to everyone in the sector’

Keegan said the FE sector has done a “remarkable job to keep the show on the road despite massive headwinds and all the challenges we have all had to deal with” and offered the following thank you message.

“Clearly the priority for the sector was to keep people studying, in particular, apprentices, still getting access to continue their studies as much as possible.

“It has been a challenge for many, but from what we have seen, many have stepped up to that challenge.

“Wherever I look there are just great examples of the sector going above and beyond to deliver brilliant experiences to apprentices to continue online learning and for all kinds of other training courses and full-time qualifications.

“New apprentices being signed up – we are continuing to see activity of that kind.

“I have been in business for 30 years before becoming an MP, and I completely understand the difficulty when your business model changes. You have very little time to react, you have got to change your delivery mechanism, change your staff in some circumstances and make difficult decisions about staff.

“The more that we can keep close, discussing things… We are here, we are listening and trying to do our best. But of course, this is across the whole economy, across many sectors, and it is something that none of us was expecting to do just a couple of months ago. “A big thank you from me to everyone in the sector.”

Help!: DfE to spend £10m ‘simplifying’ the digital apprenticeship service

A two-year £10 million project to renovate the digital apprenticeship service as it is scaled up is being launched by the Department for Education.

The development, to start as soon as next month, will aim to “simplify processes to remove burden” by, for example, creating a new function for paying end-point assessment organisations direct.

The number of employers using the system is expected to increase by more than 150,000 in the coming months as small and medium sized businesses transition onto it.

Large levy-paying employers have had full use of the digital service to manage their apprenticeships since the “minimum viable” system became operational in 2017.

It currently allows businesses to manage their apprenticeship funding, select a suitable standard or framework, choose a provider to deliver training and provide digital certification.

Over the last three years the department has “continued to add new capabilities” that are “connected through personalised user-outcome, AI based, real time data model”.

Two tenders looking for suppliers to now “make the service easy to use” and enable “all employers take greater control of apprenticeship funding” are currently live from the DfE and total £5 million each.

The successful bidders must scale the apprenticeship service “so that this holds true at significant volumes”.

Another “problem to be solved”, according to the tenders, is to “surface unmet demand to the marketplace” by “ensuring suppliers have visibility of real-time employer demand and can explore opportunities to fill gaps and meet employers skills needs”.

Officials also want the service to “mature” by suppliers “building out our continuous improvement function with focus on simplifying processes to remove burden, ensuring we maintain service availability and reliability as we scale the volume of users and increasing performance and efficiency”.

A key part of the upgrade will be to add a function that enables end-point assessment organisations to receive payment direct from government – rather than the current system where they are paid through training providers.

The incumbent software house supporting the digital apprenticeship service is the firm Contractsonline Ltd.

Both DfE tenders are worth up to £5 million and both “opportunities will both be supporting apprenticeship services”.

“Whilst there is some cross over in capabilities required for delivery, there is varying essential criteria which we are looking for in each opportunity,” the tenders state.

“They will be run independently of each other and will be assessed against the skills experience outlined. The current delivery model brings together managed services, potentially from different suppliers and permanent staff.”

The closing date for one of the tenders is 6 May with a start date of 1 June, while the last day for applications for the other is 13 May with the contract due to commence on 14 June.

Construction is still under way – but with new rules and procedures

While the government has promised £1.5 billion of new cash to colleges over this parliament to create “cutting-edge facilities”, a number of multi-million-pound building projects are already under way.

Construction was being pushed ahead for Institutes of Technology and T-level facilities ahead of their rollout in September, but the coronavirus pandemic has stopped some in their tracks and put question marks over their completion dates.

In recent days the government has said work on construction sites can continue as long as it is done safely, so a number of providers have introduced safety protocols and got straight back to work.

FE Week spoke with a number of affected colleges to find out how they have adapted to delivering the projects during this crisis.

Capital projects to launch T-levels in September

Almost £40 million has been made available in capital funding for providers delivering T-levels from this September to use for building new classrooms and refurbishing buildings.

Derby College Group received £1.2 million as it was delivering T-levels in the construction, digital and education and childcare, which it has spent on a virtual reality laboratory, new digital laboratories and a space for construction students.

The Roundhouse at Derby College, which will be getting enhanced facilities for its T-level

After skills minister Gillian Keegan told providers in April the T-level roll-out would go ahead as planned in September, DCG decided to progress the works as the time was “opportune”, due to minimal occupancy levels by staff and students on-site.

Vice principal Kate Martin said although lockdown presented the estates team with “some challenges in progressing the work, we are confident that these will be ready for the first T-level learners in September”.

The college said construction workers are encouraged to wear gloves and masks, and hand- washing facilities and sanitisers are being provided. An independent health and safety consultancy is checking whether social distancing guidelines are being adhered to.

The college is also putting in place measures so that a minimum amount of personnel are on site at any one time – including through the use of staggered start and finish times.

Shipley College was awarded £120,000 from the T-level capital fund last July to help deliver qualifications in digital and education and childcare.

Principal Nav Chohan said his college is “still on target to deliver all capital works and the new curriculum for September”, but would “continue to monitor progress in the light of any future Covid-related restrictions”.

Although “the planned works are not major”, he said the current lockdown restrictions would need to be lifted to some degree so work can continue.

Havant & South Downs College in Hampshire, which won £495,000 in July, has said work is due to start in June on refurbishing three spaces for T-levels in education, construction and digital. A spokesperson told FE Week: “Our focus for T-level delivery from September 2020 remains.”

With regard to social distancing measures to be followed on site, she said: “We are content that the necessary steps will be taken to comply with government guidelines.”

Building the Institutes of Technology

Nine colleges and three universities were announced as the winners of a £170 million pot of capital funding to develop Institutes of Technology by the government in April 2019.

Conceptual images for Dudley College’s Institute of Technology

But construction work for Dudley College, which led a successful £30 million bid to build facilities in advanced manufacturing, modern construction methodologies and medical engineering, grounded to a halt following the Covid-19 outbreak.

It has since put in social distancing measures, but the project is now five weeks behind.

The measures meant that toilets, the canteen and site offices were scaled up to multiple cabins so workers could be the minimum two metres apart.

A spokesperson said contractors are “confident” some time will be made up so the institute can open as planned in September 2021.

Exeter College, which was part of a consortium led by the University of Exeter and received £15 million for an Institute of Technology, is building a new digital and data centre on site that is set to be completed early next year.

Robert Woolcock, operations director at Exeter’s building contractor Willmott Dixon, said personal protective equipment (PPE) was in adequate supply at the site and, after initial difficulties in getting hold of stocks, hand sanitiser and cleaning products were being distributed.

And because the college is closed: “We have been able to open up additional canteen and welfare facilities for the site workforce to use which has ensured that social distancing can be observed in break times as well as during construction.”

HCUC in London is part of a group building an £8.6 million Institute of Technology, based on Uxbridge College’s campus and focused on subjects such as computing, games design and animation, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and building services and construction.

The college said all construction work had continued through the pandemic with a reduced workforce, and the institute will be ready to accommodate new learners from October.

Solihull College and University Centre said its advanced manufacturing and engineering Institute of Technology opened to its first students last September, but it then carried out capital investment projects on campus, with a completion date set for this September.

The college said it is “ensuring building work is completed in a way which adheres to social distancing and associated safety advice”.

But where this is not possible, the spokesperson said, construction work has been paused.

Mayoral combined authority and local enterprise partnership projects

A number of college building projects, paid for out of mayoral combined authorities’ and local enterprise partnerships’ capital funds, have also been in the works for a number of years.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, which has handed out over £75 million through its Skills Capital programme since 2017, has confirmed that all the sites it helped finance are continuing with construction, and that social distancing guidelines are being adhered to.

A spokesperson said it does not yet know how its projects will be impacted by coronavirus, but “there will likely be some impact in the long term”.

Halesowen College, in the West Midlands, is spending £8.4 million to reshape its main campus to create an essential skills and business, construction management and digital centre, along with a student hub.

However, construction work on the project, which is being part-funded by the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, stopped for a week when the lockdown was announced, and only resumed once the government made it clear such work could continue.

Following this, workers had to sign to say they have read and understood the government’s guidelines on safe operating procedures and new Covid-19 risk assessments.

Everyone working on site has been issued with PPE and the number of people on site is kept to a minimum, with people like architects and surveyors working digitally through the use of live streams and video conferencing.

Regular safety briefings are held for everyone working on site, and they are all aware that if they or a member of their household display symptoms, they should not come to site, a spokesperson for the college said.

She said this “fastidious approach” to safety on site means the project is still on track to meet its original deadline of December 2020.