Level 2 Assistant Administrator Standard approved after five-year journey

As a leading end-point assessment organisation (EPAO) we welcome the recent news from The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) on the approval of the Level 2 Assistant Administrator standard, marking a significant milestone after five years of dedicated campaigning by employers, training organisations and awarding bodies.

17 January 2025

The approval, confirmed by IfATE earlier in January, represents a crucial step forward in providing vital entry-level opportunities in business administration. The standard is expected to be ready for delivery at the beginning of the 2025/26 academic year, following completion of assessment and funding arrangements.

The development process has been strengthened by close collaboration with major private sector employers including Sainsbury's, Amazon, and Coca-Cola. They have played key roles in reshaping the standard to ensure it meets contemporary business needs, addressing previous concerns about public sector bias.

Supporting the new standard at City & Guilds

Mandy Slaney, Senior Product Lead at City & Guilds, reflects on the update;

"Looking back, the previous SASE apprenticeship at Level 2 was very popular and we were proud to support thousands of apprentices via that route. Over the last few years, we have joined a host of other organisations to show the need for a Level 2 standard, and we are looking forward to supporting more learners once it is live."

The new standard promises to restore a vital entry route and progression to level 3. It aims to meet enhanced quality requirements and modern business needs, incorporating essential elements such as:

Remote working practices
Sustainability initiatives
Contemporary business needs
Flexible duration options to support diverse learner needs
Clear progression pathways to Level 3 qualifications

Next Steps and Implementation

The trailblazer group is now focused on developing detailed end-point assessment proposals and determining appropriate funding bands, with completion targeted for March.

We are actively supporting this transition by offering a series of webinars throughout spring 2025 to help training providers and employers prepare for implementation.