BINDT gains Ofqual recognition

Over the past year, there have been many barriers facing the non-destructive testing (NDT) apprenticeship scheme and I am extremely pleased to announce that the NDT apprenticeships are once again back on track and continuing full steam ahead.

One of the major barriers facing the NDT apprenticeships was the removal of BINDT from the list of end-point assessment organisations (EPAOs), meaning that it could not conduct any end-point assessments (EPAs) for any apprentices, putting the process into the hands of another EPAO. However, BINDT has now received authorisation from the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) to provide end-point assessments for NDT apprenticeships. The authorisation permits BINDT to provide end-point assessments for the Level 2: NDT Operator (ST0358) and Level 6: NDT Engineer (degree) (ST0369) apprenticeships. Authorisation to conduct EPAs for the Level 3: NDT Engineering Technician (ST0288) apprenticeship is expected very soon.

BINDT is now a regulated awarding organisation, joining a community of around 240 organisations that share a common goal of ensuring high-quality qualifications that command public confidence. Recognition by Ofqual is a mark of quality: it shows that BINDT is able to meet Ofqual rules and is able to combine expertise in assessment with effective operational delivery. In turn, this provides assurance that the learners who have taken the regulated qualifications have the required level of knowledge and skills in the relevant subject area.

This is a major step forward for the non-destructive testing apprenticeship programme, as this also means that the NDT apprenticeship standards can recommence their update through the apprenticeship standard working group. This working group is currently reviewing the NDT Engineering Technician apprenticeship standard, ensuring that it is still fit for purpose as well as incorporating new industry updates and finalising the merge of condition monitoring technologies into the list of approved deliverable techniques. The NDT Operator and NDT Engineer standards will also be updated in a timely manner once the update to the NDT Engineering Technician standard has been approved.

Finally, the transfer of non-destructive testing apprentices from the Skills Training scheme to the new main apprenticeship providers is being finalised, meaning that the majority of NDT apprentices are still continuing their NDT apprenticeship journey. There are currently over 70 non-destructive testing apprentices enrolled with around another 40 planned to start over the coming months. As I said at the beginning of the article, back on track and full steam ahead!

Please note that the views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not represent the views of Lavender International or BINDT.

Sam Cunningham is with Lavender International and is a member of BINDT’s Education & Professional Development Committee, which oversees the development of the NDT apprenticeships.

Employers in England looking to recruit an apprentice can find up-to-date guidance at: www.gov.uk/recruit-apprentice

Details of the current apprenticeship vacancies in England are available at: www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

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