February 2015 update

Sector Development Forums

Sector forums for the retail and hospitality industries are being held in February and March. Over 50 centres have signed up so far to hear updates on the latest qualifications news and take part in workshops linked to the development of the Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards. If you would like to come along, we still have spaces at the London event on 3 March.

Visit our training pages to find out more.

Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards

Aimed at Retail Assistants, the Retailer standard most closely aligned with the level 2 retail skills and knowledge qualifications was signed off at the end of 2014. You can view this standard under the heading ‘Government approved sector apprenticeship standards’ on the People 1st website. 

Two further standards have recently been out for consultation: Retail Supervisor (Level 3) and Retail Manager (Level 4). Find out more on the People 1st website.

The Trailblazer group will now be working on the assessment plan that goes alongside these standards. They aim to have this completed by June 2015. The standards will be implemented on or before September 2017, but in the meantime the current SASE frameworks stand as valid apprenticeships in the retail sector. We'll keep you updated as more details emerge.

Qualification extensions

This is just a reminder that all QCF retail skills and knowledge qualifications have been extended until 31 December 2016.

Retail SVQs are accredited until 31 November 2016.  

We've just extended our suite of trade business qualifications until 31 August 2019.