CITB-ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, has been awarded the Issuing Authority for English Apprenticeship Frameworks for occupations in construction.

By appointment of the Secretary of State, CITB-ConstructionSkills will now be responsible for issuing these frameworks across England and will have statutory responsibility for issuing frameworks across Wales later this year. The organisation was invited to apply for the role of Issuing Authority by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. With its functions as both an ITB and SSC, CITB-ConstructionSkills is best placed to engage with employers through its relationships with industry.

There is only one Issuing Authority for the construction sector and the organisation’s role is to support framework developers and to ensure that frameworks comply with the requirements.

The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) sets out the minimum requirements to be included in a recognised English Apprenticeship Framework. Compliance with the SASE is a legal requirement under the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning (ASCL) Act.

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From April 2011, CITB-ConstructionSkills will now have the sole authority to issue apprenticeship frameworks in England. This means that Issuing Authority status will provide the opportunity to engage with Industry Representatives throughout the Validation process. In addition, the organisation will control the quality of Frameworks to ensure they meet SASE/W requirements and attract potential financial support from Government Funding Bodies. Essentially this provides an opportunity to add value to industry to ensure that CITB-ConstructionSkills continues to work as effectively as we can to make businesses grow and success.

Part of this will include publishing English Apprenticeship frameworks for the construction sector on the Apprenticeship Framework Online (AFO), which allows businesses to use the online frameworks library to search for an apprenticeship or to see if a new apprenticeship framework is being developed. All apprenticeship frameworks will be hosted on this website.

Apprentices train towards a National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) in their chosen consecution trade. These are nationally recognised competence based qualifications that prove standards of work expected in industry have been met.

Mark Farrar, Chief Executive, CITB-ConstructionSkills, said: "This is an excellent opportunity for CITB-ConstructionSkills to work closer with developers to ensure that English Apprenticeship Frameworks are delivered to a high standard and are fit for purpose.

"We look forward to the exciting challenge ahead for CITB-ConstructionSkills. By ensuring that the English Apprenticeship Frameworks are developed with industry, CITB-ConstructionSkills will work with the sector to deliver the right skills for economic growth locally and nationally."

(CD/KMcA)