Applications are being sought for a new chair for the Institute of Apprenticeships. The Cabinet office has posted a job ad for the role, which outlines the key responsibilities of the role.
Summarising the key elements, the ad points out that the new chair will:
- act as the ultimate decision maker on approving apprenticeship standards and assessment plans to ensure they are of high quality, sufficiently stretching and with employer backing; and,
- determine the maximum level of Government funding available for those standards and how much employers can claim for them.
It also confirms that the new chair will “Provide strategic leadership and direction to the shadow Institute during a critical phase in its development pre-April 2017. The Chair will be a strong figurehead and ambassador for the organisation, delivering its vision. The role will involve developing and managing effective relationships with senior stakeholders, seeking to bring them on board and win their commitment to the functions of the Institute.”
The ad comes several weeks after the IoA announced Peter Lauener would take over as its chief executive, taking over from Rachel Sandby-Thomas, who resigned in June.
It seems clear, as well, that the role will expand to cover more than simply apprenticeships and there assessment and funding. According to the Cabinet Office, “It is likely that the Institute will be charged with other tasks over time which may extend its role and focus into broader aspects of the skills landscape.
“In particular, Lord Sainsbury published in April 2016 an independent report on technical education and we expect an expanded Institute for Apprenticeships to be well placed to take forward its recommendations and wider reform to technical education.”
