The Education Secretary has announced an important change to quality assurance arrangements for higher and degree-level apprenticeships in order to ensure that employers and apprentices receive a high-quality experience from their training provider. Following careful consideration, the Government has accepted the Augar Review’s recommendation that Ofsted become the single body responsible for the inspection of the quality of apprenticeship training provision at all levels.

From 1 April 2021, Ofsted will therefore assume responsibility for inspecting level 6 and 7 apprenticeships (both degree and non-degree) as they do currently for levels 2-5. The Education Secretary has written to Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector Amanda Spielman to confirm this policy change.

This change will ensure that employers have confidence that apprenticeship training is subject to a consistent approach to quality assurance, regardless of provider type or the level of the apprenticeship that their apprentice is on.

It is a priority for the Education and Skills Funding Agency, to ensure that quality is embedded at the heart of the apprenticeships programme so that every apprenticeship provides the high-quality work-based training necessary to meet the needs of employers and support individuals to progress in their careers. This is more important than ever if we are to maximise the potential of apprenticeships, including higher and degree level apprenticeships, in supporting economic recovery from COVID-19.