Role and person specification

About the Institute

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (the Institute) is the employer-led body responsible for overseeing the development and approval of apprenticeship standards and technical qualifications.

Our aim is to ensure that apprenticeships and technical qualifications provide opportunities for the broadest range of individuals and employers and are viewed and respected as highly as other education routes.

Apprentice panel role

The main purpose of the apprentice panel is to ensure the views of apprentices are represented across the work and governance of the Institute. The panel decides which issues to focus on, and panel representatives attend Institute board meetings to advise and challenge on those issues. They also meet regularly with ministers and other government officials to ensure the apprentice experience is front and centre of new policy thinking.  

Apprentice panel members are appointed to:

  • share their thoughts, concerns and views on apprenticeships
  • provide first-hand insights into everyday life as an apprentice
  • engage with, and build an understanding of, the experiences and needs of apprentices nationwide by way of an annual survey
  • report on survey data and findings to help inform and shape the Institute’s work
  • generate thinking and ideas on issues that impact on the apprentice experience and apprenticeship opportunities
  • be an ambassador for the opportunities that apprenticeships offer

The panel is made up of apprentices from 15 major business sectors: agriculture, environmental and animal care; business and administration; care services; catering and hospitality; construction; creative and design; digital; education and childcare; engineering and manufacturing; hair and beauty; health and science; legal, finance and accounting; protective services; sales, marketing, and procurement; transport and logistics.

The panel is chaired by an apprentice panel member and facilitated and supported by the Institute.

Saskia Navaratnam, Chair of our apprentice panel, said:
"There are so many exciting opportunities that are made available through the panel such as creating blogs, visiting, and speaking at schools and having a hand in creating guidance and reports for employers, training providers and future apprentices. We’ve already done some cool things this year such as, having afternoon tea with Ministers at the House of Lords and speaking to Year 10s and 11s at an Academy in Nottingham – both extremely different events but both were fun to attend!
If you are passionate about apprenticeships and want to make a difference, I would love for you to apply and join us on this thrilling journey."

Apprentice panel member: person specification

As an apprentice panel member, you’ll be a visible and enthusiastic ambassador for apprenticeships. You’ll be responsible for gathering the insights of as many apprentices as possible and ensuring these are heard and understood by those with the power to change things for the better. You’ll also work with the Institute and others to ensure that apprenticeship standards are as good as they can possibly be.

You don’t need to be an expert in apprenticeships, but you do need to be able to demonstrate:

  • a passion for apprenticeships and the difference they can make
  • an enthusiasm for – and commitment to – supporting and fully participating in the work of the panel
  • a willingness – and ability – to commit to regular attendance at meetings
  • experience of being part of a panel or board where members work together to make decisions and deliver relevant projects (desirable)

Apprentice panel meetings currently take place once a month. Most meetings are held virtually, enabling members to dial in. From time to time, we invite members to attend meetings or other events in person. These are usually held in London but may occasionally be hosted in other parts of the country by panel members themselves.

This is a one-year appointment that may be extended by mutual agreement, depending on when you graduate.  Apprentice panel members are not paid a fee but may claim reasonable expenses for participating in panel meetings and other Institute activities.

How to apply

The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 16 May 2022

We are committed to eliminating discrimination, valuing diversity and promoting equality of opportunity and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds.

If you are interested in being considered for this role, please complete the expression of interest form  and upload a copy of your CV. 

Interviews will be held with shortlisted candidates during June. These will be conducted by the Institute’s Head of Membership and the Recruitment, Governance, and Community Development Manager. Candidates who have not been shortlisted will be contacted by week commencing 30 May 2022. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer feedback to individuals whose applications have been unsuccessful at this stage.

If your application is successful, we may offer you a place on the panel straight away or hold your details on file (with your permission) until future panel member opportunities become available.

We’ll contact you by email to acknowledge receipt of your application and to update you on its progress, so it’s advisable to check spam folders regularly.

The Institute operates a Guaranteed Interview Scheme (GIS) for disabled people. If you wish to apply for consideration under the scheme, please complete the Guaranteed Interview Scheme form (included on the expression of interest form) and submit this with your application.

Additional information

If you have any queries about this role or the application process, email: IfATE.PartnerCommunities@education.gov.uk. Please ensure you include ‘Apprentice panel member application’ in the subject line of any email.

Find out more about the work of the Institute and the role of the apprentice panel.