Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)[1] was an employer led organisation that helped shape technical education[2] and apprenticeships in the United Kingdom. They did so by developing, reviewing and revising occupational standards[3] that form the basis of apprenticeships[4][5][6] and qualifications such as T Levels.[7] Post 16[8] and Higher Technical Qualifications[9] (HTQs). It was funded by the Department for Education of the Government of the United Kingdom.[10][11]
 | |
| Abbreviation | IfATE |
|---|---|
| Formation | 2017 |
| Dissolved | 2025 |
| Type | Crown status non-departmental public body |
| Purpose | Apprenticeships Technical education |
Region served | United Kingdom |
Key people |
|
Parent organization | Department for Education |
| Website | www |
In 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Skills England would take over the function of IfATE, over the course of nine months.[12] On 1st June 2025 IfATE was abolished and on 2nd June 2025 Skills England was formally established as an executive agency.[13]
Purpose
editIfATE worked with employers to identify skills gaps in their sectors. They collaborated with employers to develop and revise occupational standards to match the skills requirements of the sector. IfATE also regulated and licensed bodies, such as further education colleges, to provide qualifications for apprenticeships in England. It was formed in April 2017 under the Technical and Further Education Act 2017 following on from the Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Act 2009 and work of the National Apprenticeship Service.[14][15] IfATE was a non-departmental public body of the Department for Education (DfE).[16] On 1st June 2025 IfATE was abolished.
Governance
editAs of 2024[update] the IfATE board of directors included:
- Ruby McGregor-Smith[17][18]
- Jennifer Coupland (chief executive)[18]
- Dr Kate Barclay[18]
- Bev Robinson[19]
- Fiona Kendrick[18]
- Robin Millar[18]
- Malcolm Press [18]
- Peter Estlin[18]
- Neil Morrison[18]
- Jane Hadfield[18]
- Mark McClennon[18]
Previous board members include Gerald Berragan,[20] Antony Jenkins, Toby Peyton-Jones,[21] Jessica Leigh Jones and John Cope.
Abolition
edit| Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025[a] | |
|---|---|
| Act of Parliament | |
.svg) | |
| Long title | An Act to transfer the functions of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and its property, rights and liabilities, to the Secretary of State; to abolish the Institute; and to make amendments relating to the transferred functions. |
| Citation | 2025 c. 14 |
| Territorial extent | England and Wales[b] |
| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 15 May 2025 |
| Commencement |
|
| Other legislation | |
| Amends | |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Revised text of statute as amended | |
| Text of the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (Transfer of Functions etc) Act 2025 (c. 14) included provision to abolish the Institute and transfer its functions to the Department for Education.[22]
Notes
editReferences
edit- ↑ "The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education". instituteforapprenticeships.org.
- ↑ "What we do". instituteforapprenticeships.org.
- ↑ "What is an occupational standard?". Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ "Degree apprenticeships a 'no brainer' says institute". BBC News. 7 September 2023. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ Haynes, Tom (5 May 2024). "'I get paid £12 an hour and drive a £300k tractor'". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ Hamilton, Jane (9 May 2024). "Heritage becomes hip choice for Gen Z". ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ "The Institutes role in T-levels". instituteforapprenticeships.org.
- ↑ "Post 16 technical qualifications". Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ "Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)". Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- ↑ Camden, Billy (2021). "How the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is growing in stature". feweek.co.uk.
- ↑ Little, Jenny (2021). "How apprenticeships could play a key part in the post-Covid economic rebuild". The Guardian. London.
- ↑ "Skills England to transform opportunities and drive growth". gov.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2024.
- ↑ "Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament". questions-statements.parliament.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
- ↑ Camden, Billy (5 October 2021). "Skills bill to ensure 'equality' for technical education in schools career advice". Schools Week. Archived from the original on 6 October 2021. Retrieved 17 May 2025.
- ↑ Doughty, Richard (2017). "Why apprenticeships are working". The Guardian.
- ↑ "Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education". gov.uk. Government Digital Service.
- ↑ Duarte, Carolina Galbraith (16 June 2023). "Simplifying the skills system so it works better for everyone". Business & Industry. Retrieved 9 May 2024.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Institute Board". instituteforapprenticeships.org.
- ↑ "Bev Robinson OBE: Principal and Chief Executive, Blackpool and The Fylde College". blackpool.ac.uk. Blackpool and The Fylde College. Archived from the original on 15 January 2022. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ↑ Berragan, Gerry (2019). "The apprenticeships that are a better bet for your financial future than a degree". telegraph.co.uk. London: The Daily Telegraph.
- ↑ "Non-executive board member: Toby Peyton-Jones". gov.uk. Government Digital Service.
- ↑ Camden, Billy (17 March 2025). "'Let's get off on the right foot with Skills England', ex-IfATE boss pleads". FE Week. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 May 2025.