The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has approved its 400th new apprenticeship standard - two months ahead of schedule.  

The IfATE today announced that the standard for the fashion studio assistant apprenticeship had been approved in time for the beginning of London Fashion Week.

New apprenticeship standards are developed by the trailblazer group of employers with support from the institute.

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‘Higher-quality apprenticeships’

The institute said last summer that it would aim to reach the 400-standards mark by the end of April this year.

Sir Gerry Berragan, chief executive, said: “The institute has worked hard to make the approvals process more efficient and it is great news that the 400th standard has been approved.”

Education secretary Damian Hinds said: “We are seeing the apprenticeship system in this country come of age, with leading employers waking up to the benefits apprenticeships can bring.

“With the number of people starting our new, higher-quality apprenticeships rising sharply, the approval of the 400th new standard means even more people will benefit from this high-quality training and the chance to secure a great job in a range of exciting professions.”