UK
TSA have been pushing the development of an entry level English apprenticeship for the last 18 months, ever since the Government announced their Trailblazer scheme and Apprenticeship Levy.
Gillian Farrar, head of membership & communications at TSA, has been encouraging business leaders to embrace the opportunity and work on an Expression of Interest to futureproof the industry from a lack of skills.
The third submission for the Textile Care Services Apprenticeship went to the April-established Institute of Apprenticeships at the end of July. The Expression of Interest covered garment care (dry- and wet- cleaning) and laundry.
After a six-week consultation process and Route Panel, the development of the Textile Care Services Apprenticeship has been approved. The industry should extend gratitude to lead employers, Sarah Cooper from CLEAN and David Kinson from Johnsons Apparelmaster for prioritising this work and making sure, along with John West of UKFT & TSA’s Farrar, that the suggested standard is reflective of modern industry practices.
TSA, the Guild of Cleaners & Launderers and, the Worshipful Company of Launderers will be co-funding the work carried out by secretariat, John West of UKFT to write the standard and the assessment plan. As we wrote last time, John has extensive knowledge of apprenticeship development, but perhaps most importantly the industry too, having delivered the Scottish Modern Apprenticeship in laundry & drycleaning for approval last May.
Next steps for the industry now approval has been granted from the Institute of Apprenticeships is to finalise the draft standard, submit it, work out funding caps with interested (and approved) training providers then, write the Assessment Plan and end assessment guide.
TSA are aiming to have an apprenticeship ready for training provider delivery by May 2018, if no unforeseen circumstances occur.
For details on the draft standard, to see it, review it and feedback, visit the TSA website.
