The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has achieved an ‘expected standard’ for its apprenticeship provision following its first Ofsted inspection in September.
CIOB became an apprenticeship provider in 2024, with the inspection marking the first time it has been assessed by the education regulator.
Ofsted describes the expected standard as a positive outcome, indicating that a provider is doing what it should be doing. The grade is categorised as green on the report card CIOB has received. The new report cards and colour coding are designed to help learners and parents understand how education providers are performing.
Dr Victoria Hills, CIOB chief executive, said: “We are extremely proud that our apprenticeship training has been recognised by Ofsted as meeting the expected standard, especially as we’re still in the relatively early days of being an apprenticeship provider.
“Our Ofsted grading is testament to the hard work of our apprenticeship team, who have developed courses that we know offer a fulfilling learning experience, not only for apprentices themselves but also their employers, by being flexible and closely aligned to real jobs and the skills employers want.
‘Rewarding construction careers’
“At a time when news headlines are regularly talking about a million young people being out of work, there’s never been a better time to showcase how rewarding construction careers can be. The prime minister’s plans for devolution and better access to vocational careers will hopefully provide a huge opportunity, encouraging more people to consider a construction apprenticeship – and hopefully to do so with CIOB.”
CIOB offers six apprenticeship programmes:
- Level 3 Construction Support Technician
- Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveying Technician
- Level 4 Construction Design and Build Technician
- Level 6 Construction Quantity Surveyor (with CIOB Diploma)
- Level 6 Construction Site Management (with CIOB Diploma)
- Level 6 BSc Design and Construction Management Degree Apprenticeship (validated by De Montfort University)
The programmes are designed to give learners and employers greater control over when learning takes place and how it is assessed, with learning delivered online.
As with all apprenticeships, learning must take place during work hours, in line with funding rules, and apprentices must receive a minimum of six hours a week of off-the-job training. Unlike colleges that require learners to attend on a set day each week, CIOB allows employers and apprentices to agree on a schedule that works for them. Online learning can be completed in one day or spread across two half-days, for example.
Employers and apprentices can also agree to increase the number of off-the-job training hours to shorten the duration of an apprenticeship, where appropriate. Different arrangements apply to the Level 6 degree apprenticeship.
For more information, visit ciob.org/learning-apprenticeships. Intakes are in March, June and September, although flexible start dates may also be possible.
