The Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) has joined the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education’s Directory of Professional and Employer-led Bodies (The ‘Employer Directory’) to help shape the future of apprenticeships and technical education.

Inclusion on the Employer Directory emphasises ACE’s position at the forefront of skills and its role in developing a future workforce for the built environment consultancy and engineering industry.

The Employer Directory has a membership of over 100 professional and employer-led bodies. It provides industry focused guidance to regulators Ofqual and Office for Students on quality assurance of apprenticeship end-point assessment. Directory members are also increasingly being called upon by IfATE to advise on apprenticeships, T Levels, Higher Technical Qualifications and approval of wider level 2 and level 3 technical qualifications as well as occupational maps which guide employers and potential learners on different training opportunities.

Andrew Gladstone Heighton, Policy Manager at ACE said: ‘With our members we have been supporting IfATE since 2017 and it’s great that our input has been recognised by inclusion in the Employer Directory. We’re committed to helping our members to drive the content of their industry courses so that they can recruit trainees in the knowledge that candidates will have the right skill sets. In the environmental services and across the infrastructure sector, where there are skills shortages, it’s crucial that trainees learn skills that are truly sought after and valued by members.

‘Our inclusion in the Employer Directory demonstrates our commitment to advancing standards for our members. We are delighted to be able to contribute to ensuring the quality and competence of professionals entering and progressing within our sector.’

Before approving ACE’s application, IfATE considered our ability to represent employers, our capacity and capability to carry out any work and whether there were any conflicts of interest.

Nikki Christie, deputy director for the business services division at IfATE, added: “We are delighted to welcome ACE to the Employer Directory. The fantastic insights and guidance industry-recognised professional organisations provide us with are really important for making sure apprenticeships and technical qualifications stay high-quality, relevant and credible. ACE is a wonderful addition to this influential group of industry experts”.