Training

Highfield on apprentices

by Mark Rowe

The exam awarding body Highfield Qualifications has been approved to provide end-point assessment (EPA) services for the new Custody and Detention Officer Standard. Doncaster-based Highfield says it’ll be offering employers assessment services to help them get the most from their apprenticeship levy payments.

The apprenticeship levy since April 2017 means larger employers (with a pay bill over £3m a year) have to pay into a central fund that must be used for apprenticeship training. Meanwhile smaller employers can claim 90 per cent of their apprenticeship costs from the Government. New apprenticeship standards like those in security alarm installing now use EPA instead of continuous assessment, requiring each apprentice to have their work and competence assessed towards the end of their learning against criteria established by groups of employers known as ‘trailblazers’.

Jason Sprenger, Highfield Chief Executive, pictured, said: ‘Many employers are coming to terms with the introduction of the new apprenticeship standards and in particular the apprenticeship levy, so we understand that it is a complex and changing training environment for many. Highfield’s approach has been to do the hard work, so employers don’t have to. With our recognition as an end-point assessment organisation, we are in a position to provide specific assessment services for those businesses already taking on apprentices or considering it.

‘Apprentices are great for business and can provide a welcome boost to staff development and productivity when it is most needed, but it’s vital that organisations understand from day one how to make sure the changes are of benefit to them and their employees.’

Visit www.highfieldassessment.com.

For background on the levy visit the gov.uk website.

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