FIS has been successful in its application to work with the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute), The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) and The Office for Students (OfS) in the quality assurance of the apprentice End-point Assessments. As an Employer Directory Organisation FIS represent the employer’s voice working primarily with the Institute.
The commitment for FIS is to support a network of subject matter experts known as Employer Directory Experts who will work with Ofqual and/or OfS on assuring end-point assessment in order to provide insight, intelligence and expert resource. Each individual will be approved for this work by FIS. The work will be commissioned by Ofqual and/or OfS and individuals will be paid for the service they provide.
This system is about improving the End-point Assessment for the Interior Systems Installer, Dryliner and Ceiling and Partitions Installer and Plasterer, Solid and Fibrous so that it remains relevant and accurately assesses an apprentice’s competence.
Commenting on the appointment FIS CEO Iain McIlwee commented “It is vital that we get the qualifications to work for us as a sector and this is only possible if we roll up our sleeves and get stuck in to the reform process. We are crying out for people, we have ever more onerous qualification requirements and fundamentally we want to elevate the perception of the whole sector, so people see what we see – a professional, skilled sector that attracts people and that people are proud to be part of. To do this we need of practitioners, employers who know what they need from new entrants, to sit on the various working groups to ensure that the qualifications are relevant and have pathways that are deliverable for businesses in the finishes and interiors sector. It is great to be, through this appointment, part of the process, but this is only the start – the work starts now and we need the industry to get behind us.”
FIS is also working on apprenticeship reform in Scotland, where the Carpentry and Joinery and Dryliner Apprenticeships are currently starting a review process. If you are interested in supporting qualification reform in England or Scotland please contact George Swann 07553 874838 or email georgeswann@thefis.org.
Find out more about qualifications in the finishes and interiors sector here.