The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has announced it will move to a new simplified External Quality Assurance (EQA) system, following a public consultation launched in February this year. The changes will see EQA delivered by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) or, for integrated degree apprenticeships, the Office for Students (OfS).

The first step towards the new system will be taken in October 2020, as the start of a two-year transition process for existing EQA providers to transfer their activities to Ofqual and OfS.

Having previously been approved in early February 2020 as an EQA provider for engineering-related apprenticeship standards, the Engineering Council received notice through the public consultation that alternative arrangements were being considered. This meant there was a likelihood that the Engineering Council would not be required to act as an EQA provider on any standards, now or during the transition period, and that position has been confirmed by this recent announcement from the IfATE.

It is hoped that professional bodies including the Engineering Council will be invited to engage with the future development of EQA practice. Engineering Council staff continue to maintain and enhance our positive relationship with the IfATE, Ofqual and OfS and to engage with the future of apprenticeship assessment.

Full details of the announcement and responses to the public consultation are available on the IfATE website.

For press enquiries:    

Kate Webster, Engineering Council – kwebster@eng.org.uk, 020 3206 0567

The Engineering Council holds the national Register of Engineering Technicians (EngTech), Incorporated Engineers (IEng), Chartered Engineers (CEng) and Information and Communication Technology Technicians (ICTTech). It also sets and maintains the internationally recognised standards of competence and ethics that govern the award and retention of these titles. By this means it is able to ensure that employers, government and wider society, both at home and overseas, can have confidence in the skills and commitment of registrants. For more information visit: www.engc.org.uk