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Mon, February 08, 2021

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Operational Research Apprenticeship

The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE) approved a Level 7 Operational Research Specialist apprenticeship in late 2020. A level 7 apprenticeship is roughly equivalent to a Master’s degree. This achievement was the culmination of months of hard work from the Apprenticeship Trailblazer group, started by the ORS Education Committee and HORAF, led by Companion of OR Alec Waterhouse.

The trailblazer group first outlined the knowledge, skills and behaviours they would expect an apprentice to have at the end of their apprenticeship. Next, they wrote the Standard, or curriculum that will provide that information and determined the format the apprentices' End Point Assessment (EPA) will take.

The trailblazer group, consisting of future apprentice employers, worked alongside academics from potential training providers who will deliver the off-the-job component of the apprenticeship. However, before the first cohort of apprentices can begin in late 2021, there needs to be an independent End Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO) to administer the EPAs.

The OR Society is pleased to announce we will be applying for permission to be an EPAO. One of our key goals is to ensure the OR community continues to grow and thrive. The trailblazer group have contributed to this goal by - as their name suggests - trailblazing a new route into OR for apprentices. The OR Society is delighted to support these efforts and ensure this route into OR remains clear by facilitating the apprentices' EPAs.

View the full apprenticeship standard