Chris Jones HMI, Specialist Adviser – Apprenticeships gave this presentation at the Apprenticeship Levy Conference, Coventry on 22 August 2017.

1. Four months on – an inspector calls?
Chris Jones HMI
Specialist Adviser - Apprenticeships
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 1

2. Our concerns (1)
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 2
 Where we have seen apprentices working to a standard, quality and
satisfaction rates are high.
 Too many apprenticeship programmes are not yet good. Current
inspection outcomes show that the overall quality of apprenticeships is
declining.
 Increasing evidence that employers and providers are using
apprenticeships to validate the skills that employees already have.
 Apprenticeship standards are not providing the skilled workforce needed
to improve productivity and promote economic growth.

3. Our concerns (2)
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 3
 The offer available to young people is too limited, and is shrinking.
 The pace of development is too slow:
− currently almost 900,000 apprenticeships on frameworks, only about
11,000 on standards
− 200 standards ready and approved. Over 600 frameworks still on
offer
− too few standards ready and approved for level 2 and level 3
occupations

4. Common inspection framework (1)
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 4
We expect that:
 leaders and managers work with employers to ensure that the
structure and delivery of apprenticeship programmes enable apprentices
to meet exacting standards and contribute to the growth of the
businesses in which they work
 apprentices develop substantial new skills and behaviours that
prepare them well for their chosen career and their future advancement
 employers and providers have a clear skills and career development
plan that they monitor and evaluate frequently for apprentices.

5. Common inspection framework (2)
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017
Slide 5
We expect that:
 apprenticeships comply with defined requirements and regulations
 apprentices improve their skills in English and mathematics, meet
expectations and develop appropriate vocational behaviours
 apprentices know what they need to improve through regular and
frequent reviews that give them feedback about their development
 employers and providers plan and prepare for end-point
assessments so that apprentices complete their apprenticeships
successfully and on time.

6. What providers need to do better:
Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 6
 cover key areas of performance through self-assessment and quality
assurance
 manage and monitor subcontractors or partners and set challenging
targets for improvement: share data and focus on improving teaching,
learning and assessment practice
 hold subcontractors or partners to account for poor performance
 acknowledge and tackle underperformance quickly
 align provision closely to local priorities – and be clear about those
priorities
 align HR practice with safeguarding and Prevent duty requirements.

7. Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017 Slide 7
Questions and discussion

8. Ofsted on the web and on social media
www.gov.uk/ofsted
http://reports.ofsted.gov.uk
www.linkedin.com/company/ofsted
www.youtube.com/ofstednews
www.slideshare.net/ofstednews
www.twitter.com/ofstednews
Slide 8Our commentary on apprenticeships: July 2017