For any employers looking to find out more about the new Level 4 Software Development Apprenticeships standard, this high level summary will tell you everything you need to know.
In short, it’s good news! Our interpretation is that the new standard will be a lot easier for both employers and apprentices alike. This means:
- Inefficiencies are reduced
- Less strain on the line manager
- More relevant, real-world curriculum
- More time in work for apprentices to contribute on the ground
Here’s a summary of the changes
1. New: Introduction of Duties
Employers will now hire people into jobs containing specific “Duties” that correspond with the “Knowledge, Skills and Behaviour” points that the training provider is responsible for training.
The main implication here is that employers oversee the work of the apprentices in the workplace while the training provider ensures they learn what they need in order to fulfil their duties.
This aligns the learning to the real-world responsibilities much more clearly.
2. No more compulsory vendor qualifications
If you know, you know! The limited, and outdated, list of vendor qualifications were a big headache if you didn’t happen to use the right tech. This will be a pivotal moment in making the curriculum more up-to-date, tailorable to your tech stack, and removing a point of friction for employers.
3. No more knowledge modules
The key point to note here is that there will be no more assessment of apprentices at the mid-point of the course. This result will be fewer exams, meaning that apprentices can spend more time working with employers on-site and contributing to the codebase.
4. The end point assessment has had a makeover!
Perhaps the most significant element of the upgrade, the EPA has been completely reimagined from the ground up to ensure that apprentices are being assessed on things that will set them for success in the workplace. There are now two parts to the assessment:
Assessment method 1: Work-based project with questioning
Project: “The aim of the project is to research and develop a software solution to meet the requirements provided in a specification provided to their employer by a customer or other stakeholder with the end to end software development lifecycle as its guiding principle. The employer will provide the customer or other stakeholder specification from their day-to-day business activities.”
Questioning: “This component will take the form of questioning, based on the project report, which must be appropriately structured to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method. It will involve questions that will focus on the content of the project report.”
Assessment method 2: Professional discussion underpinned by portfolio
“This assessment will take the form of an [approximately 60m] professional discussion which must be appropriately structured to draw out the best of the apprentice’s competence and excellence and cover the KSBs assigned to this assessment method. It will involve the questions that will focus on coverage of the KSBs mapped to this method of assessment.”
For more information on what these changes will mean for you or to find out more about transferring your existing apprentices onto the new standard, contact us for advice or download our apprenticeships brochure to find out more about Makers Apprenticeships.
