The body’s remit will be to regulate the quality of apprenticeships, including the new apprenticeship standards produced by employers. It is also tasked with ensuring that apprenticeships deliver relevant, up-to-date skills.
The IFA is expected to employ about 90 people and will be launched in April. It will have core functions set through legislation, which include:
Standards development and approval is currently managed by the Department for Education. The new early years standard at Level 3 remains unready for use as early years employers are locked in a dispute with the Government over the GCSE requirement for level 3.
Its other responsibilities include apprenticeship certification. The Skills Funding Agency has taken on responsibility for the certification of standards, but the institute will need to ‘assist in this oversight role, setting the parameters for the SFA to operate within’ according to the strategic guidance (see below).
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