The Department for Education is looking for over 100 industry experts to form panels of professionals to develop occupational standards for new technical qualifications.

As set out in the Skills Plan, the new qualifications will fit into 15 routes covering all technical education, in both college and employment-based learning.

Panel members will collectively be responsible for developing the standards for specific technical occupations by determining the key skills, knowledge and behaviours that individuals should meet to become competent.  These will build on, and incorporate, apprenticeship standards.

The panels will sit in the new Institute for Apprenticeships which will become operational in April 2017 and formally take on responsibility for technical education in April 2018.