Are you interested in being considered for a place on our apprentice panel? We are still recruiting members to the apprentice panel in the following sectors, Care Services, Protective Services and Hair and Beauty.If so, please email us for more information.
About IfATE
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) is an employer-led organisation. We work with employers to develop and approve apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications. Our aim is to make sure these meet the needs of individuals and employers from all types of backgrounds and are highly respected.
What is the role of apprentice panel members?
We appoint apprentice panel members to:
- share their thoughts, concerns and views on apprenticeships
- provide first-hand insights into everyday life as an apprentice
- undertake surveys and other types of engagement to help us understand the experiences and needs of apprentices
- give views on issues that impact on the apprentice experience and apprenticeship opportunities
- generate ideas for improving the apprentice experience
- be an ambassador for the opportunities that apprenticeships offer
What are we looking for?
As an apprentice panel member, you’ll be a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for apprenticeships. You’ll gather insights from other apprentices and ensure these are understood by those with the power to change things for the better. You’ll also work with IfATE and others to ensure that apprenticeship standards are as good as they can be.
You don’t need to be an expert in apprenticeships, but you do need to be able to show:
- a passion for apprenticeships and the difference they can make
- a desire to use your experience to make apprenticeships even better
- enthusiasm for – and commitment to – supporting and participating in the work of the panel
- a willingness – and ability – to commit to regular attendance at panel meetings
- experience of being part of a panel or board, working with others to make decisions and deliver relevant projects (desirable)
Apprentice panel meetings currently take place every six weeks. Each meeting lasts around two hours. Most meetings take place virtually, enabling members to dial in.
From time to time, we invite members to attend full-day meetings or other events in person. These are usually held in London but may occasionally be hosted by panel member themselves in other parts of the country.
This is a one-year appointment. We may extend this, depending on when your apprenticeship ends. You won't receive a fee but you may claim expenses for taking part in panel meetings and other IfATE activities.
Panel members attending a recent development day at Coventry Building Society Arena
Why get involved?
Joining the apprentice panel is a great way to use your apprentice experience to make apprenticeships even better. There are lots of other benefits too.
Meet and get to know apprentices from wide-ranging industries and backgrounds
Being a panel member is brilliant for developing your own professional and personal support network.
Develop essential knowledge, skills and behaviours relevant to your apprenticeship
Working as part of the panel gives you lots of opportunities to build confidence in presenting, develop your teamworking skills, lead project work, and use data to make recommendations on improving processes and services.
Collaborate with leading employers from some of the country’s top businesses
You'll get to attend events and meetings with some of the amazing employers who make up IfATE’s 15 route panels.
Get experience of using your voice to influence others
As well as meeting government ministers and senior policy makers, you'll also have opportunities to share your views in the media. Lots of our panel members write blogs and take part in videos and interviews. They also get involved in big campaigns, such as National Apprenticeship Week.
Develop your leadership and relationship building skills
The panel chair and vice chair roles rotate every year. These roles are a great way of building your leadership skills. So too are opportunities to represent the panel at IfATE conferences and other events.
‘I enjoyed being involved in discussions with people at the top of apprenticeships in different subjects and travelling to attend events in London. Networking with others who share the same passion as me was always great too. Having meaningful discussions about what action can be taken to improve certain areas of apprenticeships or giving feedback to teams in IfATE was something I also really enjoyed. I always felt unrestricted to give my opinion and didn’t feel like anything I said would be looked down on. The whole experience exceeded my expectations!’
Jake Holt - Level 3 Transport Planning Technician, Diamond Bus North West (outgoing panel member)
Application details
We are committed to eliminating discrimination, valuing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.
We’ll contact you by email to let you know we’ve received your application and to update you on its progress. Do check spam folders regularly to make sure you don’t miss anything.
We'll interview shortlisted candidates during August. If you haven't been shortlisted, we'll let you know by 11 August. Unfortunately, we're unable to give feedback if your application has been unsuccessful at this stage.
We want to encourage disabled people to apply for this role and give them an opportunity to show their skills, talent and abilities at interview. The Civil Service runs a Disability Confident Scheme, offering an interview to a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants who meet the minimum selection criteria for the role.
To be considered for an interview under this scheme you must have:
- a physical or mental impairment, or a long-term health condition which has a substantial and long-term (over 12 months) adverse effect on your ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities
- demonstrated in your application that you meet the minimum criteria as set out in the advert or person specification for the role
If you feel you meet the minimum criteria and would like to apply under this scheme, please complete our Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) form and submit this with your application. The GIS form is included on the expression of interest form.
If we do offer you a role on the panel, we'll invite you to attend a face-to-face development day with other panel members on 28 September 2023.
Got a question?
You can send your questions to us by email. Please include ‘Apprentice panel member application’ in the subject line.