CPA Bulletin

TRAINING: 1 The working group for this trailblazer are delighted to have learnt that after considerable time spent submitting a bid to develop a specific trailblazer apprenticeship at Level 2 for construction equipment mechanics, their latest bid was finally approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). The group made the original submission some three years ago but a perceived overlap with a land-based service engineer trailblazer, designed for the agricultural and rural sectors, meant that previous submissions were declined. The joint lead employers - Liebherr (GB) Ltd and Clee Hill Plant - along with CPA staff spent considerable amount of time since quantifying to the IfATE how the construction version differed from the land-based version and continually made resubmissions accordingly. Although the group had looked initially at adopting the land-based version, the content and assessment criteria did not meet the needs of construction employers and could not be altered sufficiently to meet employers’ needs. The IfATE approvals panel have now finally recognised the uniqueness of the construction plant mechanic occupation in comparison to not only the land-based version but also those designed for the heavy vehicle, public service vehicle and lift truck sectors. By way of support for the bid, the group further developed and submitted the standard - the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) required for the occupation - which would not normally need to be devised until the approval to develop had been received. This also received approval at the same time meaning that the working group’s final activity is to devise the assessment plan which details how the KSBs will be assessed. The working group are engaging with training providers to identify typical costs associated with the training requirements to identify the appropriate funding band from which employers can claim from the Government’s Education and Skills Funding Agency. It is envisaged that work on the Level 2 mechanic occupation will be completed in early 2020 and coincides with the withdrawal of funding for the current framework apprenticeship during 2020. With approval of the Level 2 now achieved, the group aims to seek approval to develop a trailblazer apprenticeship for a construction equipment maintenance technician-level Construction Equipment Maintenance Mechanic Trailblazer Apprenticeship www.cpa.uk.net CPA Bulletin > August 2019 41 The working group for this trailblazer are pleased to have learnt that their standard - the skills, knowledge and behaviours - for the occupation has also received approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE). The group are devising the assessment plan which details how the various skills, knowledge and behaviours are to be assessed and are working with training providers and assessment organisations to determine typical training costs to seek the appropriate funding band from the Government’s funding agency. This apprenticeship has been set at a Level 2 with training required on four specific items of plant - 360 excavator, dumper/ dump truck, ride-on roller and telehandler - providing a starting platform for apprentices to subsequently expand and operate a greater number of items of plant. The aim of the trailblazer apprenticeships is also to provide a pathway to allow apprentices to progress within their sector and become tomorrow’s managers and leaders. In this instance, the working group also aim to submit a bid for an advanced technician- level operative apprenticeship equivalent to a Level 3 to encompass specialist plant such as road/rail equipment, demolition, etc. Construction Plant Operative Trailblazer Apprenticeship TRAINING