New apprenticeship “ready for delivery”

UK: The IoR is organising a number of events and initiatives to explain and promote the new RACHP Engineering Technician Apprenticeship scheme.

The new refrigeration, air conditioning and heat pump Trailblazer apprenticeships is now considered “ready for delivery” and has had approval for funding of training by Government.

City & Guilds is said to be in the process of registering to deliver the new apprenticeship programme, having been working closely with the Trailblazer Employers Group and the Institute of Refrigeration to prepare new qualifications and guidance material for trainers and employers. City and Guilds are working towards having the new scheme available for new employees/apprentice registrations in September 2016.

The IoR reports that consultation meetings with employers on the principles of underpinning qualifications at Level 2 and 3 are on-going and it expects that a draft qualification meeting will be held in early February. Subject to approval, the IoR says that during March training providers will have the opportunity to look in more detail and comment on draft qualifications, assessment materials, test rig specifications, supporting documents, verification procedures etc to ensure these are practical and deliverable.

Any employers or providers interested in taking part in consulting on the draft delivery materials being prepared are invited to contact the Institute to be added to the consultation panel.

To support the new scheme, City & Guilds will be holding a Q&A session on the IoR stand at the ACR Show on February 17 and a launch event is being planned for mid-March in London as part of National Apprenticeship Week.