Apprenticeship reform: Flexibility must not come at the expense of comparability

As new assessment freedoms take shape, ensuring consistency and comparability will be critical to maintaining confidence in outcomes - and delivering genuine benefits for apprentices.

Apprenticeship Reform: More flexibility should not mean more complexity

Throughout the introduction and implementation of the reformed approach to apprenticeship assessment, the opportunity has been clear: less rigidity, more flexibility, and assessment which is more proportional and appropriate to the learner.

In embracing this opportunity, Innovate has been working hard to ensure that the principles of high-quality assessment remain at the core. Assessments should be Robust - to adequately test the learner has the required knowledge and skills; Well-defined - to allow suitable preparation; and Comparable – to ensure the delivery is consistent, with apprentices being given equal opportunities to achieve their apprenticeships.

For many AO’s working through the reform, the element of Comparability is the one which draws the largest amount of attention. We are experienced in writing and delivering assessments to ensure they are well-defined and robust, but the aspect of comparability is somewhat being stretched beyond our usual realm of control through the flexibilities being introduced:

• Centres can now deliver some of the assessments themselves. This flexibility enables centres to make the decision that is best for their apprentices. The delivery of these assessments by centres will be closely monitored through moderation and EQA but introduces a new risk to comparability which must be carefully managed.

• Assessments can take place at any time during the apprenticeship. Another key development to support apprentices to sit assessments when they are ready, not just ‘at the end’. But to ensure comparability, we must also ensure that all apprentices have had the same amount of time on programme before attempting the assessment.

• And of course, AO’s can determine which assessment methods from the list of options provided by Skills England they would like to develop. This is a development which we have fully embraced through our consultative process. While this is a significant opportunity to improve the apprentice experience through design of assessments which are best fit, this makes the national comparability of assessment outcomes across AO’s much more complex, as the method of assessments will not always be the same.

While working through these new and exciting developments, Innovate’s enduring no surprises approach has remained a guiding light. Clarity from the start, for all apprentices.

Through our consultative approach, we work to determine the assessment methods which are agreed to provide the best opportunity for apprentices to demonstrate the required knowledge and skills. Innovate’s approach is clear: the methods agreed through this process will then be applicable to all.

Of course, we have a Reasonable Adjustment policy and process to make approved, appropriate changes where necessary. But the assessment method itself remains the same. When there is already so much changing, adding a choice of assessment methods for training providers, employers or apprentices to select from on an individual basis, brings with it another layer of complexity and risk, and further influences the comparability of assessment outcomes.

Consistency is not just important to help employers and providers understand their outcomes and identify areas for improvement. It is also a fundamental rule within the Ofqual conditions, which state that an awarding organisation must take all reasonable steps to ensure that the Level of Demand of an assessment for a qualification which it makes available is consistent. Our approach to maintaining the same methods for each learner is, we believe, the most reasonable step we can take to be able to ensure this.

By setting the methods, we are ensuring there is no burden of choice upon training providers or learners. Instead of them making these crucial decisions about which assessment method to select in isolation, Innovate’s partners can be confident that their apprentices are sitting assessments which will give them the best opportunity for success, carefully determined in advance through our consultation with them and our sector experts.

By keeping this aspect of reform simple, we are allowing more time and focus to be put toward consideration of the other aspects of change such as centre-led delivery, which have a much greater opportunity to benefit apprentices, employers, providers and ultimately the apprenticeship brand.

Our approach to reform is clear: Less complexity and administration for training providers, less burden of choice, less risk to comparability, and clarity right from the start.

Read more about Innovate’s assessment models here