Semta protects engineering apprenticeship

The introduction of the new Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) had meant that the Performing Engineering Operations (PEO) NVQ Level 2 was no longer part of revised engineering frameworks. Now – thanks to its intervention, claimed the sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies – employers will be delighted that a solution has been found that will enable delivery of this vital foundation training to continue and so give trainees the fundamental skills needed to operate effectively and safely in the industry. Semta, whose role is to raise skills levels and competitiveness in the 132,000 companies and over 1.7 million-strong workforce that make up these sectors, had responded to employer concerns about continuity which might potentially have impacted on employer provision of apprenticeship places. Semta said it took action in recognition the importance of both SASE and PEO in ensuring high quality, fit for purpose delivery that meets employer and industry needs. The following is now the agreed approach which Semta believes is good news for employers, colleges and other training providers: • That Foundation skills are achieved through the completion of a Level 2 Industrial Applications Apprenticeship utilising the PEO Level 2 NVQ as the competence component. Successful candidates can then progress onto an Engineering Advanced Apprenticeship. • In order to facilitate direct access to a Level 3 framework, Semta will produce 14 new Level 3 NVQ Diplomas and 1 Level 4 NVQ Diploma that include the knowledge and skills currently delivered through the PEO Level 2 NVQ. Clearly candidates progressing from Level 2 to Level 3 will be accredited for these elements and so will not need to repeat them. • To ensure continuity of delivery the current Frameworks have been extended until the end of June with dual running of old and SASE compliant frameworks from June through to July to allow Awarding Organisations to get their centres up and running with the new qualifications. Philip Whiteman (pictured), chief executive of Semta, said: "Apprenticeships are critically important to the future success of this country's engineering and manufacturing base so we must have frameworks which inspire employer confidence in their content and quality. The essential knowledge and skills components of the current frameworks are highly valued by employers and we believe that the processes agreed will offer continuity sand opportunity for progression. My thanks go to National Apprenticeship Service and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills who have helped enormously in arriving at this solution."