Heritage Engineering Technician Apprenticeship Approved for Delivery
After two years of hard work the ‘Heritage Engineering Technician’ (HET) Trailblazer Group, supported by TIGOSE and chaired by Graham Nichols from JLR Heritage, along with representatives from the Federation of British Historic Vehicle Clubs and training providers such as Heritage Skills Academy and Barnet and Southgate College, has received approval from the Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) for the new Heritage Engineering Apprenticeship. It has been designed by the industry for the industry to ensure that essential skills and knowledge are passed on to the next generation of Heritage Engineers.
The New Standard, which replaces the ‘Classic Vehicle Restoration Apprenticeship’ will be available from September 2018. It will be delivered over 36 to 48 months and has been approved at Funding Band 29 which equates to £26,000 per apprentice towards the cost of apprenticeship training.
The funding is allocated to the apprentice and drawn down by the employers chosen Training Provider – Employers do not have direct access to the funding, only who it is spent with.
What Does the New Standard Encompass?
The new Heritage Engineering Technician Standard has been created to encompass a broad range of heritage engineering sectors including:
- Classic vehicle,
- Marine,
- Steam and aviation.
It offers three pathways within each sector – mechanical, coach building and trim.
Within each pathway the standard lays down the skills, knowledge and behaviours essential for a skilled engineer. There are common elements for skills and knowledge generic to each sector which will ensure that apprentices have transferable skills giving access to broad range of engineering opportunities. For example a qualified vehicle coach builder/fabricator could move to the aviation, marine or steam sectors and then be retrained in the associated specialist aspects and processes.
What Does it Mean for Tigose Members?
The majority of TIGOSE members are SMEs and will therefore be able to access the full funding value if they take an apprentice on aged between 16 & 18 (employers will have to make a 10% contribution towards training costs for apprentices over 19 when they start). Employers must cover the cost of the apprentice wages themselves as well as any training costs in excess of the £26,000. By the way, there is no upper age limit for apprentices and career changers are welcome.
Click here for details of the Heritage Engineering Technician Standard.
Click here for additional information relating to the New Standard and End Point Assessment (EPA).
Now it’s up to the industry to take advantage of this new opportunity and promote Heritage Apprenticeships and the progression opportunities the industry has to offer. We need to attract the next generation of world class Heritage Engineers.
Over the next few weeks more will become clear as to how TIGOSE members can benefit from the HET opportunities and we will be able to assist in answering questions and queries. We can also put you in touch with training providers such as the Heritage Skills Academy (based at Bicester Heritage) who will be in a position to help with the whole process of getting, not only new entrants trained, but also existing staff up-skilled. Watch this space, but please do contact us with any questions in the meantime.
