Location: Room K/159, Kings Manor, University of York, York, YO1 7EP

Date: 5 April 2016

Time: 13:15

RSVP: jamie@heritagecraftalliance.co.uk

The Heritage Craft Alliance is holding a meeting (details above) to discuss the development of the government's new Trailblazer Apprenticeships.

In 2012 a government-commissioned review found that there were key areas of the apprenticeship programme where significant improvements could be made to make it more rigorous and responsive to the needs of employers. Consequently, Trailblazer apprenticeships are being developed.

They are intended to Increase the quality of apprenticeships by requiring apprentices to demonstrate their competence through rigorous assessment. This will focus on the end of the apprenticeship, presumably through some kind of examination, to ensure that the apprentice is ready to progress.

Employers are being asked to work together to design the standards and assessments for apprenticeships, so they will be of a higher standard and more relevant to industry. By getting involved in developing the standards, employers will have the opportunity to define the skills, knowledge and behaviours required in the workforce.

Heritage Craft Alliance Ltd is an accredited training and assessment provider dedicated to the built heritage. It is based on the Thorp Perrow Estate, Bedale, in North Yorkshire. It supports various aspects of heritage work in the built environment, delivering Heritage Skills Qualifications at NVQ Level 2-6 and professionals training in specialist skills.