Science Industry Partnership (SIP)
www.scienceindustrypartnership.com
SMART Apprenticeships
A new flexible approach to the delivery of Apprenticeship training
SMART Apprenticeships are based on tailored Apprenticeship Training Plans (ATP). The ATP is
designed around the employer and the job, rather than the qualification - it specifies what training and
qualifications are required by the business, allowing an employer, or a group of employers, to develop the
Apprenticeship to meet their business needs. SMART Apprenticeships will also provide a robust pathway
to Professional Registration with the relevant professional body.
Apprenticeship Advisors will provide business support to help employers to develop the bespoke ATP.
For the first time, in-house training can be incorporated into the ATP making sure that the apprentice is
getting the right training to perform effectively as a key member of the team. An Apprenticeship Advisor
will ensure that the content of the Apprenticeship meets the employers specification and the national
quality standard set by the Science Industry Partnership.
How does the SMART Apprenticeship process work?
Stage 1 Employer enquiry
Capture job
description and
establish employer
requirement.
Stage 2 – ATP
Create the
Apprenticeship
Training Plan (ATP)
and source quality
training.
ATP designed by an Apprenticeship Advisor
against the SIP Standard and bespoke
employer requirements. Including:
yy Technical knowledge
yy Work-based competence (delivered at
work and quality assured by industry)
yy Delivery timeline
yy Employer in-house and specialist training
yy Assessment / Competence test
Stage 3 –
Approval
Employer approval
and contracting.
Stage 4 - Delivery
Delivery monitored
by TAS in
accordance with
the ATP.
Stage 5 Completion
Assessment and
certification.
Recruitment and
employment of
apprentice where
required.
What are the benefits?
yy E
mployers have control of the design so that the Apprenticeship responds to the needs of industry.
yy Increased focus on training for the job means that the apprentice must demonstrate their ability
through rigorous assessment at the end of their Apprenticeship.
yy Outcomes are mapped to professional registration criteria.
yy In-house training can be used towards developing the apprentice’s competence.
yy Employers can specify the timescales involved through the ATP.
for science industries
SMART Apprenticeships - from design to recruitment
Example scenario for a September start:
FINALISE LANDING ROLES AND JOB DESCRIPTIONS
SMART APPRENTICESHIP START
MONITOR APPLICATIONS
OPEN DAYS
PREPARE JOB DESCRIPTION/VACANCIES
Apr
Apr
May
May
ADVERTISE JOBS ON WEBSITE ( & NAS IF
REQUIRED)
Jun
SHORT LIST AND INTERVIEWS - AND ISSUE
CONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE LETTERS
Jul
Jul
Aug
Sept
START DATES END OF JULY ONWARDS
PROVIDER SIGN UP OF APPRENTICES
Who are SMART Apprenticeships for?
Employers who cannot currently get the bespoke apprentices they need to suit their businesses. They
offer employers the opportunity to shape the Apprenticeship experience to suit their company. SMART
Apprenticeships will allow employers to invest in improving business effectiveness by developing skilled
employees typically at Level 3.
Individuals looking to enter the science-based industries with a structured training plan and clear
progression to jobs and further development.
Higher Apprenticeships
The Higher Apprenticeship for Life Sciences and Chemical Science Professionals (HA) provides laboratory,
scientific and technical employees with the opportunity to gain qualifications up to graduate level
through vocational training. The HA contains six pathways; Life Sciences, Chemical Science, Process
Development, Packaging Development, Food Science and Healthcare Science. Each pathway offers a
choice of qualifications, including HND Diplomas or Foundation Degrees at Level 5, which have been
designed to maximise work-based learning through flexible delivery mechanisms (e.g. distance learning).
The qualifications allow the apprentice and the employer to select modules that best meet the needs of
the job role, whilst providing the generic knowledge and competences that are required at each level.
Costs
yy T
he typical cost of a SMART Apprenticeship is approximately £22,000 with contributory funding of
approximately £18,000 from the Science Industry Partnership.
yy Higher Apprenticeships are funded through employer investment and student loans.
yy Potential support for in-company mentor/assessor training.
Contact and next steps
If you would like to participate in, or benefit from early involvement in this scheme please contact the
Cogent Technical Apprenticeship Service: apprenticeships@cogentskills.com or telephone 0845 257
0007.
We are currently seeking employers who would like contribute to the ongoing development of
Apprenticeship standards for the Sector. If you would like to get involved please contact us.
for science industries