Educational difficulty levels
The principle and structure of all apprenticeships remains the same. However, apprenticeships are described both by occupation (as set out in the apprenticeship standard) and educational level of difficulty:
Level 2 (intermediate) – equivalent level of difficulty to GCSE A*-C/4-9
Level 3 (advanced) – equivalent to AS and A Levels
Level 4 (higher) – equivalent to first full-time year of a Bachelor’s degree (or Higher Education Certificate/Higher National Certificate)
Level 5 (higher) – equivalent to the second full-time year of a Bachelor’s degree (or Higher Education Diploma/Foundation Degree)
Level 6 (higher or degree) – equivalent to the third full-time year of a Bachelor’s degree
Level 7 (higher or degree) – equivalent to a Master’s degree/postgraduate certificate/postgraduate diploma
Level versus length
Educational levels used for apprenticeships only describe the level of difficulty reached at the end of the apprenticeship. Educational levels do not serve to describe the volume of learning that applies, this is set by the individual apprenticeship standard.
It should also be noted that, while it is the case for the two archiving apprenticeships, the typical duration of an apprenticeship isn’t automatically longer just because it has been set at a higher level or because an occupation is deemed more senior within the workplace. It is possible for a level 7 apprenticeship to have a typical duration of 12 months and a level 3 apprenticeship to have a typical duration of 3 years. It entirely depends on the knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the standard and how long it typically takes someone to reach competence in the respective occupation.
Degree apprenticeships
Degree apprenticeships are set at either level 6 or 7, just like level 6 and level 7 ‘higher’ level apprenticeships (they are identical levels of difficulty). The only difference is that a level 6 degree apprenticeship has a full Bachelor’s degree integrated into the off-the-job learning, and a level 7 degree apprenticeship has a full Master’s degree integrated into the off-the-job learning. The Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager Apprenticeship does not have a Master’s Degree integrated into it – it is a Level 7 higher apprenticeship.
Prior qualifications
It should be noted that the level describes the level of difficulty the apprentice works to meet by the end of their apprenticeship. Unlike academic training routes, it is rarely necessary for candidates to hold prior qualifications as a pre-requisite for entry onto an apprenticeship, regardless of level. For candidates that have no prior related training at a lower level than the apprenticeship, it may just take them a little longer to reach competency in the occupation. We encourage employers to minimise setting unnecessary pre-requisites for entry when recruiting into an apprenticeship role to ensure the broadest pool of talent feels able to apply. You can find out more about this in the eligibility section of the ‘What are apprenticeships?‘ webpage.
Comparing the Level 3 and Level 7 apprenticeships in archives
There are two apprenticeship standards currently available in England that are specific to archiving and records management occupations. These are:
- Level 3 Library, Information and Archive Services Assistant
- Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager
Purpose
Level 3: This apprenticeship is designed to train entry-level employees, of any age, to start a career in information management.
Level 7: This apprenticeship set at the most difficult level of apprenticeship training available in England. It is designed to train people, of any age, to become highly skilled archivists and records managers in all settings where this occupation is found.
Apprenticeship standard
Both apprenticeship standards were written by highly-skilled professionals with knowledge of these occupations.
Level 3: Full details of the Level 3 Libraries, Information and Archive Services Assistant apprenticeship standard can be viewed on the Institute for Apprenticeships’ website.
Level 7: Full details of the Level 7 Archivist and Records Manager apprenticeship standard can be viewed on the Institute for Apprenticeships’ website. This standard was written by a trailblazer group of archive professionals representing a cross-section of England’s archives. This standard is actively supported by The National Archives, the Archives & Records Association (ARA), and the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP).
Duration
Level 3: This apprenticeship has a typical total duration of 21 months (just under 2 years). 18 months are spent doing on-the-job and off-the-job learning. Assessment is typically expected to be completed within 12 weeks (3 months) but this can be agreed between the employer and the end-point assessment organisation.
Level 7: This apprenticeship has a typical duration of 42 months (3.5 years). 36 months are spent doing on-the-job and off-the-job learning. The maximum period within which an apprentice must complete their end-point assessment is 6 months, but this can be sooner.
Gateway
Gateway is the point at which the apprentice is deemed ready for progression to end-point assessment. Gateway is most likely to be instigated after the typical learning duration but it depends on how long it has taken the apprentice to reach competence. It is possible for an apprentice to progress to gateway before the typical duration is completed (but this cannot be before 12 months of learning have been completed) if the employer deems the apprentice to be demonstrating full competence early.
Level 3: Both early and later progression to gateway is rare.
Level 7: Some apprentices may need longer to reach competence and therefore progression to gateway may exceed 36 months. Early progression to gateway is rarer.
Off-the-job training providers
Level 3: There are currently 9 training providers registered to provide the off-the-job training for this apprenticeship across England. You can view details of all the training providers supporting this apprenticeship on the Institute for Apprenticeships’ website.
Level 7: There is currently 1 training provider registered to deliver training for this apprenticeship nationally – Westminster Adult Education Service. Further providers may offer this training in time.
End-point assessment organisation
Level 3 and Level 7: End-point assessment for the Level 3 and Level 7 apprenticeships is undertaken by CILIP Pathways, an arm of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals (CILIP). CILIP Pathways is working closely with the Archives & Records Association (ARA) to ensure suitably experienced and relevant industry professionals are end-point assessors for the Level 7 apprenticeships.
End-point assessment methods
The same two types of assessment method are used for both the Level 3 and Level 7 apprenticeships (but with different expectations and criteria):
- A work-based project report, with questioning
- A professional discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence
Level 3: View the full Level 3 end-point assessment plan on the Institute for Apprenticeships’ website
Level 7: View the full Level 7 end-point assessment plan on the Institute for Apprenticeships’ website
Functional skills
Level 3 and Level 7: Candidates must have achieved Level 2 English and mathematics before completing the end-point assessment, except for candidates with an education, health and care plan or a legacy statement. In this case, the apprentice must have achieved English and mathematics at Entry Level 3. (This is one educational level below Level 1. Level 1 is the equivalent level of difficulty to GCSE grade D-G or 1-3.)