Advance HE is the first organisation in the higher education (HE) sector to be deemed ‘ready’ to assess apprentices taking part in the Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship (L7 APA).
The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed that Advance HE has successfully undertaken the formal readiness checks required to deliver the assessment and will become the L7 APA’s first End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO).
The Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship is a new standard intended to develop early career academics’ skills in their roles as practitioners, and is a route for HE providers in England to access the Apprenticeship Levy to support the development cost of their academic staff.
By passing the checks, Advance HE has demonstrated that it is fully aligned with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s (IfATE) Quality Framework and is able to assess apprentices to a specific standard.
Those who successfully complete the assessment will be recognised with the Advance HE/Vitae Academic Professional Award.
Degree apprenticeships are still quite new, but they’re growing in number and importance – offering a viable alternative route to a traditional degree. At QAA, we’ve provided guidance, published a characteristic statement, and are working hard to make sure there is expert quality assurance across UK degree apprenticeships.
“This new assessment – which is part of a wider External Quality Assessment pilot – delivers on that quality assurance, providing a robust final-stage check for academic professional apprenticeships. I’m happy to say that Advance HE passed with flying colours – becoming the first in the sector to reach this standard.
“It’s great news, and it’s another step forward for degree apprenticeships in the UK.”Alison Felce, Accreditation and International Services Operations Manager at QAA.
We are delighted to achieve the go-ahead from QAA to be the first in the sector approved to deliver end-point assessment for the Level 7 Academic Professional Apprenticeship.
“We have successfully completed our readiness checks in conjunction with the IfATE Quality Framework and can assure apprentices and HE providers that we are committed to delivering a robust and transparent service.”Dr Nicola Watchman Smith, Advance HE’s Head of Academic Apprenticeships and Excellence Awards.