A Trailblazer Apprenticeship is an employer-led apprenticeship model in England that focuses on industry-defined standards and end-point assessments. Trailblazer apprenticeships are developed by groups of employers, known as “Trailblazer groups,” who collaborate to identify the essential knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSBs) required for specific job roles.
The Carpentry and joinery Apprenticeship was approved for delivery in February 2018 and was based on the National Occupational Standards (NOS) Wood Occupations – Carpentry and Joinery applicable at that time. The Apprenticeship was updated in January 2025 in accordance with Skills England’s change request policy.
The Institute of Carpenters (IOC) was not informed or engaged in this process. The update was released with little or no knowledge of the changes made, and we have been advised that the Chair of the Trailblazer Review has resigned in the past, with no Vice Chair listed on the Skills England website. There are serious question marks as to level of sector knowledge of the person leading the review, and the methodology used.
Having looked at the revised version of the Apprenticeship in some depth, there are several issues that have also been raised by some of the IOC membership:
- This new End Point Assessment (EPA) for Carpentry & Joinery has very little detail, and what detail it has conflicts with industry standard.
- The standard now includes a roofing element and loft hatch access; however, it gives no detail on the practicability of delivery and appears to omit good practice and structural stability.
This has led to a lack of clarity for providers, many of which are our School and College members.
We will continue to provide updates when we can. However, what is clear at this point is that these reviews cannot happen again without the involvement of the IOC and our members. We will press this point to Skills England vociferously.
Please note this is separate from the National Occupational Standards (NOS) Review of Wood Occupations in development presently led by the IOC and Chaired by Amanda Scott, UK Skill Lead.