In February 2019, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE.
Since then we have included a new page for the International Certificate of Christian Education (ICCE) whose qualifications are now acceptable transferable skills for starts from 21st Sept 2018 and anyone currently still on programme.
If you have any questions relating to this then please contact the ACE support team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
In December 2018, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes;
Cskills Awards was previously the Awarding Organisation for CITB, it is now part of NOCN. We have therefore updated our NOCN guidance to incorporate NOCN_Cskills, NOCN/NOCN_Cskills.
If you have any questions relating to this then please contact the ACE support team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
In March 2018, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes:
Changes to existing pages:
SQA: we have updated the evidence to include screenshots and reports from their updated online systems as well as new unacceptable examples.
EAL: we have added newly branded acceptable certificates.
If you have any questions relating to this issue then please contact the ACE support team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
In December 2017, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. since then we have made the following changes:
New Pages
We have added a new Awarding Organisation: Agored
Changes to Existing Pages
AQA: we have added a new certificate to reflect the GCSE English and Maths numeric grading.
OCR: we have added an updated version of the Interchange General Qualification Printout.
Pearson: we have added a BTEC Essential Skills Confirmation Report.
If you have any questions relating to this issue then please contact the ACE support team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
In September 2017, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes:
New Pages
We have added a new Awarding Organisation: BIIAB.
Changes to Existing Pages
Cambridge International Examiniations (CIE) have rebranded and are now known as Cambridge Assessment International Education: we have added an additional Statement of Results.
City & Guilds: we have amended the minimum requirements on the Walled Garden report.
Pearson: we have added a new certificate to reflect the GCSE English and Maths numeric grading and an unacceptable screenshot.
SQA: we have added a SQA Connect Candidate Services printout.
If you have any further questions relating to this issue then please contact the ACE Support Team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444
In May 2017, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes:
New Pages
We have added a total of 3 new Awarding Organisations: Open Awards and due to the latest changes to SASE to include British Sign Language as a Transferable Skill we have also added IBSL and Signature
Changes to Existing Pages
CACHE: due to re-branding we have added updated acceptable and unacceptable evidence.
CCEA: due to the latest changes to SASE to include Northern Irish Essential Skills we have added a new certificate.
City & Guilds: we have added an unacceptable Unit Credit Certificate which we have also added to Pre-2006 Transferable Skills Evidence.
NCFE: due to re-branding we have added updated acceptable evidence.
NOCN: we have added an acceptable NOCN/Quartz report.
OCR: we have added a new acceptable piece of evidence showing the latest GCSE grading.
WJEC: due to the latest changes to SASE to include Essential Skills Wales we have added a new certificate.
If you have any further questions relating to this issue then please contact the ACE Support Team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
The 6th version of the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) was published on 19th July 2017. This introduced a number of key changes to the range of acceptable qualifications for both English and Maths. However, the changes could not take effect until Parliamentary approval had been received. This approval has now been received and the changes, previously published in July, will be effective from Tuesday 22nd August 2017.
This notification gives more detail on the specific amendments that have been made to this version of the SASE regulations.
Summary of Changes:
a. For a Level 2, Intermediate Apprenticeship, the minimum acceptable Grade is a 2 (remains as an E Grade for older GCSEs
b. For a Level 3, Advanced Apprenticeship, the minimum acceptable Grade is a 4 remains as a C Grade for older GCSEs)
3. For Apprentices with special educational needs, learning difficulties or disabilities (NB: specific criteria have to be met and evidenced), exemptions are in place for the regular English and Maths minimum requirements. This exemption allows the Apprentice to use an Entry Level 3 qualification in English or Maths as an acceptable alternative.
Please refer to SASE Sections 15 – 23 for further details of how Providers are required to both assess and evidence whether or not they have learners who meet the “exemption” criteria.
4.The use of a British Sign Language (BSL) qualification (at the required level) is now approved
in place of the regular English qualification minimum requirement. This is only for Apprentices who use BSL as their primary
Please refer to SASE Section 5 (f) and 28 (f) for further details on the acceptance of BSL qualifications.
ICT Requirements
Please note that there have been NO changes to the list of acceptable ICT qualifications for SASE Apprenticeships.
Impact of the SASE Changes
The changes coming into effect on 22nd August 2017 will apply not only to all those starting an Apprenticeship on, or after, this date but also to those currently on an Apprenticeship programme who have not yet completed.
Removal of the 5 Year Rule for All Apprentices
It has also been confirmed that the “5 year rule” requirement for Apprentices, starting before 6 April 2015, has now been removed. This means that there are now no date achieved criteria for English, Maths and ICT qualifications for any Apprentice, irrespective of their Apprenticeship start date.
Updated Transferable Skills Guidance
The Federation have updated their Transferable Skills Guidance document to reflect the changes taking effect from 22nd August 2017.
Changes to ACE
There are now 2 new, optional radio buttons on the Framework Tab of ACE. They only relate to Apprentices who meet the specified SASE criteria relating to the use of either a BSL or an Entry Level 3 qualification. Where appropriate, ACE claimants will be required to tick one of these radio buttons and agree to an online declaration that the named Apprentice does meet the SASE criteria and wishes to submit an appropriate BSL or Entry Level 3 qualification as evidence of their achievement of the required English and/or Maths requirements of their Apprenticeship framework. Training Providers are required to retain suitable evidence that the Apprentice did meet the exemptions criteria, as stated in the July 2017 version of SASE. This may be required for future auditing purposes by the E&SFA.
Please note that, the new Automated Data Transfer Facility in ACE will be updated to include a search of a learner’s PLR for a suitable qualification, where either BSL or Entry Level 3 exemptions have been declared in ACE.
AFO
In the short term, all current SASE frameworks will have a red banner notification added to the front cover to alert readers to the recent SASE changes to the English and Maths requirements. In addition, a preface page has been inserted giving further details of these changes.
Please note that the English and Maths tables, within the Transferable Skills section of each framework document, have not yet been updated to reflect the recent changes. This will be done over the next few months. If you are in any doubt as to the requirements of a framework, please contact the relevant Issuing Authority/Certification Body for further guidance.
Questions?
If you have any questions relating to the new SASE requirements then please contact the Federation Support Team.
In January 2017, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes:
New Page
An additional Awarding Organisation has been added to the Guidance:
BPEC
Changes to Existing Pages
AAT: have withdrawn some evidence examples which have been moved into Withdrawn Evidence, but will still be acceptable until the 10th August 2017.
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE): we have added an acceptable International Certificate of Education.
OCR: we have added a new unacceptable piece of evidence.
Pearson Edexcel: we have added a new acceptable IGCSE certificate
International GCSE (IGCSE): we have added a new acceptable IGCSE certificate.
SQA: we have updated the evidence to include screenshots and reports from their online systems as well as new Certificate examples.
If you have any further questions relating to this issue then please contact the ACE Support Team via ace.helpdesk@fisss.org or by calling 0300 303 4444.
An update to The Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England (SASE) was published on gov.uk on 30th March – ahead of the Statutory Instrument which was laid before Parliament on Friday 31st March.
It is anticipated to come into force on 24th April. This is the link to the new SASE document:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/specification-of-apprenticeship-standards-for-england
The change being made is to include the introduction of British Sign Language (BSL) as an alternative to English for people who use BSL as their primary language, at both Level 1 and Level 2.
The document makes it clear that the change will only apply once the statutory instrument (the “Order”) has come into force:
British Sign Language has been added to the English minimum achievement options. This will apply to those starting an apprenticeship after the Apprenticeships (Modification to the Specification of Apprenticeship Standards for England) Order 2017 has come into force and, pursuant to an appropriate direction made under section 13 ASCL to the issuing authorities, those currently on an apprenticeship but who have not yet completed their apprenticeship prior to the Order coming into force.
The forthcoming changes to include BSL were initially announced in the press in January.
We will confirm when the required “Order” has been passed and that the BSL changes are implemented.
In December 2016, we updated the latest version of the Acceptable Evidence Guidance for ACE. Since then we have made the following changes:
OCR: It has been brought to our attention that it depends on the date of initial achievement as to whether a ****Final Certifying Statement of Results**** shows a Statement number (8) and we have therefore agreed with OCR that it will be removed with immediate effect as a minimum requirement.
We have also added 2 pieces of Unacceptable evidence from the interchange system which only show Test Results rather than achievement of the full qualification.
The Learning Record Service made some significant changes to the way they report qualification achievement last month. Subsequently, it has been brought to our attention that if the source of the information is the ILR or NPD then the level of the qualification will now be shown in the qualification title/aim description and not the Level field. Evidence is acceptable in this format and the guidance has been updated to reflect this.
Pearson have rebranded and we have added a BTEC certificate and an Edexcel certificate to reflect this.
CMIS: We have made a couple of minor alterations to the minimum requirements (points 4 and 5) to incorporate alternative report examples that have been brought to our attention. Please hyperlink as above.
iSAMS: We have added a new management information system (iSAMS) which is used within schools. Please hyperlink as above.
