Apprenticeship standards and frameworks

Apprenticeship standards and frameworks provide the details of the learning to be acquired, and the level of competence to be demonstrated and achieved in a chosen a field.

These standards and frameworks need to align to the definitions of Competence outlined in the Competence Framework for each occupation. CITB, as the Standards Setting Body for construction, plays a role in co-ordinating this work.

The way these standards are organised and monitored varies across the UK. Details for each country can be found below.

Apprenticeship standards in construction in England follow a pattern of vocational training meeting gateway requirements (including English and Maths). This is then followed by practical and knowledge tests to complete the apprenticeship (End-Point Assessment).

For information on apprenticeship standards in England please visit the Skills England Apprenticeship Finder

Skills England gives details on how to develop standards, assessment plans and apprenticeships, and holds all the approved apprenticeship standards for England.

Under each entry you can see the trade, the date the standard was approved, what level it sits at, the length of the apprenticeship and the maximum amount of funding available for training an apprentice at this level.

There are frameworks for - foundation (level 2), apprenticeship (Level 3) and Higher (Level 4 and above) in:

  • Construction Building

  • Construction Civil Engineering

  • Construction Specialist

  • Construction Technical and Professional.

The apprenticeship at Foundation (Level 2), Apprenticeship (Level 3) and Higher (Level 4 and above) has been developed to help meet the skills priorities of the industry and for Wales.

Find information on apprenticeship frameworks that meet the national standards for Wales at Apprenticeship framework online.

CITB Northern Ireland works with the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland to develop frameworks for apprenticeships in construction at Level 2, Level 3 and above.

See frameworks as published on the NI Direct Government website

Approved Modern Apprenticeship frameworks are as follows:

  • Construction: Building (SCQF 5 and SCQF 6)

  • Construction: Civil Engineering (SCQF 5 and SCQF 6)

  • Construction: Specialist (SCQF 5 and SCQF 6)

  • Construction: Technical (SCQF 6, SCQF 7 and SCQF 9)

  • Construction: Professional Apprenticeship (SCQF 10 and SCQF 11)

These have been developed to help meet the skill priorities of the construction industry in Scotland by:

  • Continuing to provide qualifications required by employers to help their business grow

  • Providing a flexible entry route to attract applicants from under-represented groups

  • Including literacy, numeracy, problem solving and employability skills to develop the confidence of apprentices to take them throughout their working life which are incorporated within the framework

Full frameworks for all Construction Modern Apprenticeships at all levels are held with Skills Development Scotland

Training Schedules

To aid with the initial assessment process of all learners embarking on a Modern Apprenticeship in Scotland, the following documents have been created.

Construction Building SCQF 5

Construction: Specialist SCQF 5

Construction Building SCQF 6

These documents are routinely updated as part of the wider review of National Occupational Standards (NOS) for each occupation.