IfA’s Pilot Digital Review Consultation

On 20 September 2018, the Institute began the statutory review of existing standards on the Digital route. 

How you can help

We would very much appreciate feedback on the apprenticeship standards in scope of the review, listed below. We have created a short questionnaire to gather the insight of employers, apprentices, providers and other key stakeholders on each of the occupational standards, which you can read in full by accessing the relevant link.

Standards in scope for the pilot digital review include:

• ST0114 – Cyber Intrusion Analyst
• ST0124 – Cyber Security Technologist
• ST0118 – Data Analyst
• ST0119 – Digital & Technology Solution Professional
• ST0125 – Infrastructure Technician
• ST0117 – IS Business Analyst
• ST0127 – Network Engineer
• ST0116 – Software Developer 
• ST0128 – Software Development Technician
• ST0129 – Software Tester 
• ST0130 – Unified Communications Technician
• ST0131 – Unified Communications Trouble Shooter

What Happens Next

Your feedback will be considered as part of the review process by the Digital Route Panel and the Institute’s Board and will help inform the final decisions across the route. Your input will help to shape the apprenticeship standards moving forward. A final report will be published in the New Year, detailing the outcome of the review. 

Approach to the Reviews

The Institute has a statutory responsibility to regularly review apprenticeship standards to ensure they are high quality and meet the needs of employers.

We have designed a review approach that is employer-led, informed by stakeholders, overseen by the appropriate route panel and that will underpin the quality of T Levels, as well as apprenticeships. Also, it is proportionate, taking into account other work such as the funding band review.

Balancing these requirements, we are taking a staged approach on reviews. By choosing to focus on the Digital route, a fast-moving route, driven by continual changes in technology, we are prioritising those standards linked to T Levels and those approved prior to the establishment of the Institute in April 2017.  

Review of Apprenticeship Standards in the Digital Route

A critical part of the review is the consultation on the 12 digital apprenticeship standards that were approved before the Institute was established.

The standards will be assessed against the Institute’s current occupation requirements and occupational standard criteria as well as considering the impact on T levels. 

The review will focus on the occupational standard in the first instance. We intend this as a proportionate approach with revisions to the assessment plan and funding band being made if necessary, dependent on the scale of change.

Consultation

Throughout the process, we are working with employers, apprentices, providers and other key stakeholders in a collaborative and open way, and providing channels for them to feedback on the review, through an external consultation. This consultation ran from 20 September 2018 to 18 October 2018.​

Outcomes

We will announce the outcomes of the review in the New Year along with a forward looking review timetable. The digital route will serve as a pilot and we will use lessons learned to inform future reviews.

Until the end of the review and the implementation of any changes, it is business as usual on the existing apprenticeship standards.

As part of the review, we are consulting on the standards on the Digital Route that were approved for delivery prior to the establishment of the Institute. The review will focus on the occupational standard in the first instance.

We intend this as a proportionate approach with revisions to the assessment plan and funding band being made if necessary, dependent on the scale of change.