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Transport planning technician apprenticeship – A chance to have your say

Survey is seeking to find out what employers think of the proposed new Apprenticeship Standard. Closing date for responses is 16 December, says Sheila Hoile

 Through Apprenticeship Trailblazers the Government is in the process of reforming the way that apprenticeships are designed, funded and delivered.  The purpose of the changes is to

·       place control of apprenticeships more firmly in the hands of employers

·       ensure that all apprenticeships are rigorous and responsive to employers’ needs

A group of employers from the public and private sector, working with the Chartered Institute of Highways and Transportation and the Transport Planning Society, successfully applied to be included in the third round of Apprenticeship Trailblazers with a brief to develop an Apprenticeship Standard for a Transport Planning Technician. This is the second Apprenticeship Trailblazer to benefit companies who are members of the ACE supported Technician Apprenticeship Consortium.

The Transport Planning Technician Apprenticeship will provide the foundation for a young person starting a career in transport planning.  An Apprenticeship Standard sets out the technical knowledge, skills and behaviours that would be expected of someone working in a particular occupation.  The achievement of the standard will be assessed at the end of the apprenticeship at which point it is expected that the young person will be able to competently undertake the role as set out in the standard.

The purpose of the consultation survey is to find out whether the proposed Apprenticeship Standard has wide support from across the transport planning sector, both public and private, and from companies both large and small. 

Views of employers are important as the outcome will set the standard for Transport Planning Technicians. 

The survey can be found at http://fluidsurveys.com/s/tpt_consultation/

It will remain open until 16 December 2014.  A report on the consultation will then be compiled to send to Government along with the Apprenticeship Standard for approval.

Sheila Hoile is project manager for the Technician Apprenticeship Consortium