Work is well underway to incorporate formal assessments for key skills into Modern Apprenticeship programmes. With the publication of a new research document, 'Delivery of Key Skills in Modern Apprenticeships' from the Department for Education and Employment, National Training Organisations will be looking for information to support their decision on which key skills should be integrated into Modern Apprenticeship programmes in their sector next year.
Earlier this summer the Government published a consultation document about reforms to Modern Apprenticeships within England. As part of this document training providers have been encouraged to offer the new Key Skills qualification which has been available from September to all Modern Apprentices - from next September all those providers working with Modern Apprenticeships will have to ensure they have the opportunitity to take the qualification.
Work has also been taking place to look at the relative importance of different key skills within Modern Apprenticeship programmmes. National Training Organisations have been asked to identify new units for students to work towards by September next year. This may include the wider key skills of working with others, improving own learning and performance and problem solving, which may be relevant to some apprenticeships but not others. Trainees entering Modern Apprenticeships between now and 31 August 2001 will be required to put together a portfolio of evidence to meet the existing Modern Apprenticeship requirements for achievement in three key skills, Application of Number, Communication and IT. NTOs can however choose to set additional requirements for apprenticeships in their sectors until next September if they want to.
Application of Number, Communication and IT are also the three elements of the new Key Skills qualification, for which candidates will have to pass an externally-set test of underpinning knowledge and understanding in each of the three skills or have previously gained equivalents e.g. GCSEs in Maths and English.
'Delivery of Key Skills in Modern Apprenticeships' is available by telephoning 0845 602 2260, quoting reference no. QPID89.
For latest news on developments in Key Skills, visit the DfEE website at
