ESCO is pleased to announce that its first Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standard has been approved by the Skills Funding Agency, subject to minor drafting modifications.

The Apprenticeship Standard, for the role of Embedded Systems Development Engineer, will require apprentices to achieve a degree to complete the course. Candidates will be recruited by companies at the end of their A-level course and will go to university in the usual way, completing additional vocational training in the university vacation periods over Christmas, Easter and the summer. The vocational training will consist of a combination of formal training provided by training companies and on the job training working within the companies themselves.

Peter Brooks, ESCO CEO, commented: ‘I am delighted that ESCO has achieved this milestone. As a pioneer in the drive to extend the reach of apprenticeships to include A-Level entry university students we believe passionately that this will reduce the time before these students can expect to achieve their ultimate career roles and prepare them to add value to their employers significantly sooner after their graduation’.

Graeme Philp, ESCO Council member and CEO of GAMBICA, said: ‘ESCO is currently looking for industry partners to collaborate in the development of the next set of new standards for the electrotechnical industry. By acting in a coordination role, we aim to help groups of like-minded companies develop their Apprenticeship Standards in a timely and resource efficient manner.’

Any businesses in the electronic and electrical community with an interest in employing apprentices and with an interest in helping to shape the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards, are asked to contact ESCO at [email protected]