Frequently asked questions on ILM's management apprenticeship offer, including qualifications, end point assessment and learning resources
Got a question about management apprenticeships? Our FAQs section is here to help. If there's still something you're not sure on, please get in touch with us and we'd be happy to help
What do ILM qualifications cover?
The ILM Level 3 Diploma for Managers and Level 5 Diploma for Leaders and Managers meet the full requirements of the on-programme element of the trailblazer standards. Both incorporate and recognise different types of learning, knowledge-based or on-the-job, in line with the new management trailblazer standards.
How can we find a training provider?
We can help you choose the appropriate program and ILM-Approved provider from a register of Approved Training providers – quality approved by ourselves and by the ESFA to deliver apprenticeship training. Find a training provider here or check the ILM Register of Approved Apprenticeship Training Providers.
What is the minimum length of an apprenticeship?
The minimum length of any Apprenticeship is 12 months. Only once an apprentice has completed the 12 months training can they sit the end-point assessment (EPA). Each standard also has a recommended duration within the standard and assessment plan, based on the content contained in the standard (it is not mandatory to adhere to the recommendation).
Can my existing training be mapped to/modified for the new standards?
Yes; our experienced team of commercial and quality experts will help map your existing programme to the new standards and embed the new ILM Qualifications.
Are the new qualifications eligible for apprenticeship funding?
ESFA have confirmed that the registration fee won’t be funded, however they have explained that the actual delivery, including the materials and assessment costs are funded. The registration cost is a very small percentage of the overall funding, and the responsibility for payment may be negotiated between an employer and a provider.
How can we keep apprentices engaged in the programme?
We know how important it is to keep apprentices motivated throughout the programme, especially when it is over a number of years. To help employers and providers do this, each ILM apprentice will receive digital credentials upon successful completion of a unit, helping you to encourage, track and reward learners’ progress throughout every stage of the programme – driving engagement and completion. We have also developed a selection of best practice guides that outline the things that apprentices, employers and providers can go to get the most of their apprenticeship, and feel inspired and motivated throughout.
Can you deliver either the level 3 or level 5 trailblazer standard without a qualification?
We strongly recommend that you deliver apprenticeship learning through one of ILM’s tailor-made qualifications, to ensure complete alignment to the new standard and better prepare your learners for End Point Assessment. However, if you wish to deliver apprenticeships without a qualification, we can support you with digital workbooks, e-portfolio and digital credentials. Get in touch for more information about the packages we have available.
Does ILM have a CMDA offer?
ILM is ideally placed to support delivery of the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. We work with a wide range of universities and other higher education institutions to map their delivery to ILM qualifications from Levels 4 to 6. In addition, we are in the process of developing a new, bespoke CMDA qualification which is due to launch later this year. The CMDA standard has now been approved for delivery, and we are in the process of confirming our EPA offer. We will share further details of this soon.
Find out more about ILM's Management Apprenticeship qualifications
Can we spend the apprenticeship funding (including the levy) on learning resources?
Yes. You can use the levy funds or the ESFA funding on any learning activity that meets the requirements of the standards, and this can be purchased from a third party. ILM’s learning resources are developed in full accordance with the standards and are therefore covered by the funding.
What learning resources do you offer?
We offer a variety of tools for employers or training providers for both the Level 3 and Level 5 standards and new qualifications . These include our digital workbooks, which have been custom-developed to cover the full apprenticeship standard. All ILM workbooks will be available from the end of May 2017. We also offer all apprentices registered for the ILM qualification free membership to the Institute of Leadership & Management for the duration of their apprenticeship, so they can access a wide range of learning content available on the site to help with their development.
When is ILM’s learning resource platform launching?
The workbooks will be available at the end of May, and shortly after we will be launching our digital learning platform. Further details, costs and logistics will be available soon.
Are there any sample materials we can view?
The apprenticeship page on our website has lots of examples of content and guidelines for assessment.
Find out more about learning resources
How can we book with ILM as the EPA provider?
Bookings will be administrated through Walled Garden. See the relevant qualification guide for further details.
What documentation do you require in order to put the apprentice through the gateway?
Before the apprentice goes through the gateway, they will need to have fulfilled all the requirements of the standard. This includes making sure that the English and Maths requirements have been met and that the learner has been on-programme for a minimum of 12 months They will need to ensure that all evidence, including the portfolio, is shared with ILM as the Apprentice Assessment Organisation in advance of the EPA, so that the independent assessor can review the materials and prepare questions ready to run the assessment.
What information will ILM share with Centres to let us know the apprentice is ready to progress through the gateway?
The judgement about when an apprentice is ready for gateway assessment is entirely the responsibility of the provider and employer who must agree up front what 'ready' looks like. Specifically, the assessment plan states that the employer and provider confirm that the learner has met the requirements of the on-programme element.
ILM cannot directly contribute to the decision about whether or not an apprentice is ready. ILM will provide Centres with a range of materials and tools to develop and prepare apprentices for EPA. We have custom built our new qualifications to assess the entirety of each standard, so completion of the relevant ILM qualification is a strong indication that the apprentice is ready to go through the gateway. Passing the mock assessment is also a valuable indicator of whether someone is ready.
How does the ILM qualification get the learner ready for EPA?
Our new qualifications have been custom built to exactly dovetail with the requirements of the standard. By delivering the new ILM qualifications (in line with the guidance provided in the qualification handbook) you can be confident that you will be covering the full breadth of the standard at the required level and in the required depth.
What resources can we access to help the learner prepare for EPA?
We are developing a range of wrap-around resources to help you prepare your learners for EPA. These will include sample knowledge tests, which are now available, along with clear guidance on how the other assessments will be marked and graded.
How will the knowledge test be delivered?
The ILM knowledge test will be delivered through City & Guild’s Evolve platform, which is a proven and popular web-based assessment tool. This will enable you to administer your exam delivery easily and efficiently.
When being assessed, will apprentices need to demonstrate knowledge of all relevant models?
Unless the guidance specifically states otherwise, learners will need to refer to a minimum of two models in their answers. Please check the assessment guidance for each knowledge unit within the qualification handbook.
Who is assessing the quality of End Point Assessment of the Management Apprenticeship Standards?
Ofqual will be responsible for external quality assurance of End Point Assessment for both the Level 3 Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship Standard and the Level 5 Operations / Departmental Manager Apprenticeship Standard. The assessment plans are currently being revised to reflect this.
What is ILM’s process for conducting EPA with a learner who has special needs?
ILM has an existing policy for reasonable adjustments and special considerations, which will be adapted for EPA.
When will your EPA service launch?
We are planning to conduct our first End Point Assessments from June 2018.
Can any of the on-programme assessment submissions or results be re-used for EPA?
The DfE rules state that on-programme assessment cannot be carried over and used as a proxy against any element of the EPA. Learners will need to sit a knowledge test as part of the EPA, even if they have already done so on-programme. Where qualifications have been used as added value (and not outlined in the Apprenticeship Standard as required), can it be used as evidence for the EPA? ILM is in working with the DfE and the Institute for Apprenticeships to confirm this point. We are focused on ensuring that EPA is as efficient as possible and avoids any duplication of activity.
At what point should we look to register our Apprentices with ILM for the End Point Assessment service?
Lead times for End Point Assessment will depend on the volume of apprentices you are registering. We advise customers to plan to register apprentices for EPA at least three months in advance of their anticipated assessment period.
How long will EPA take, how many days will it run for?
We expect to typically carry out all components of an End Point Assessment within one or two days. We will be able to confirm anticipated timescales at the point of registration.
Will questions be available for a mock end point assessment?
Yes, a mock EPA tool will be available to help learners prepare.
Find out more about ILM End Point Assessment
We want to help you get started on your apprenticeship journey. Request a call back or email us and we'll be in touch.
Email us
Request a call back
