‘Professional status’ scheme for apprenticeships launched 

Apprentices will be awarded post nominal designations through the scheme

Apprentices will be awarded post nominal designations through the scheme

23 Nov 2023, 17:10

More from this author

Apprentices that successfully complete their training could soon apply for letters after their name – similar to degree graduates – in a new drive for “professional recognition” led by two sector organisations.

The Association of Apprentices (AoA) and the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE) are working on a new scheme which they say will “elevate the societal and industrial cachet” of apprenticeships and help to increase retention and achievements

The post-apprenticeship recognition scheme (PARS) was unveiled this afternoon at a reception in the House of Lords. 

Under the plans, individuals who fully complete an apprenticeship at level 3 and above would be eligible to apply for “professional status” and post-nominal designations through the scheme. Details of what the post-nominals will be are to be published “in due course,” CIFE told FE Week.

L R Jason Hold Lord Lingfield

The scheme will be piloted with the view to launch nationally next year. 

Emily Austin, chief executive of the Association of Apprentices, said the partnership with CIFE will “make a significant difference to thousands of apprentices as they achieve a level of recognition that will support their progression in work and life”.

Lord Lingfield, chairman of CIFE, said the scheme will “recognise the unique educational route that apprenticeship completion represents, resulting in individuals who are assets to organisations and who possess the necessary resilience, tenacity, organisational skills and adaptability successfully to manage integrated employment and study”.

“Through this collaboration, we intend to elevate the societal and industrial cachet of both the recipient and the apprenticeship route, and, in so doing, support national efforts to increase retention, full completion and overall achievement,” he added.

Typically, only degree graduates, professional body members and those with honours are awarded the right to use post-nominal designations. 

CIFE said both organisations have had “positive and encouraging” discussions with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and the Department for Education. 

Jason Holt, co-founder and vice-chair of AoA, said the scheme “will be game-changing for apprenticeships, elevating the recognition and value of vocational education and raising parity of esteem with other learning routes”.

Latest education roles from

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Principal & Chief Executive – Bath College

Dodd Partners

IT Technician

IT Technician

Harris Academy Morden

Teacher of Geography

Teacher of Geography

Harris Academy Orpington

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

Lecturer/Assessor in Electrical

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

Director of Management Information Systems (MIS)

South Gloucestershire and Stroud College

Exams Assistant

Exams Assistant

Richmond and Hillcroft Adult & Community College

Sponsored posts

Sponsored post

Apprenticeships are for life, not just National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week is one of the awareness events that we all mark in our calendars. It’s a hive...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Functional Skills reimagined: Drive success in English & Mathematics with modern qualifications.

In today’s educational landscape, supporting learners with essential English and maths skills goes beyond traditional teaching. It’s about providing...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

Do you want to be part of The Bedford College Group’s next chapter?

At The Bedford College Group, we are passionate about transforming lives and communities through education. As one of the...

Advertorial
Sponsored post

It’s Education’s Time to Shine: Celebrate your Education Community in 2025!

The deadline is approaching to nominate a colleague, team, whole school or college for the 2025 Pearson National Teaching...

Advertorial

More from this theme

Apprenticeships

Make apprenticeship funding top priority, poll suggests

But parents still prefer to send children to university over taking up apprenticeships

Anviksha Patel
Apprenticeships

Short isn’t sweet for apprenticeship standards warning

Government plans to move from a 12 to 8 month minimum duration by August

Billy Camden
Apprenticeships

Faster apprenticeship payments to providers as DfE ditches duplicate data

Database fix to cut admin and speed up apprenticeship funding payments

Shane Chowen
Apprenticeships

Providers to assess apprentices in EPA overhaul

DfE claims more red tape cut as it confirms assessment rule changes

Shane Chowen

Your thoughts

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

One comment