Apprenticeship levels do not correspond to grades, the “EO is level 4” approach is quite limiting and means that those who are further down the line in their career, say at HEO, would be required to take a demotion to access this learning. Apprenticeships are for any grade and any career stage. Importantly, TechTrack is an upskilling programme, not an entry talent programme, therefore it is targeting those already established in their working life who want a career change into digital.
Their other professional capabilities mean that they are HEO standard, but their subject matter gap requires them to start from the beginning. Another important reason why TechTrack is targeting HEO is because the workforce data shows that the highest number of persistent vacancies and therefore skills gaps in the Civil Service workforce are at SEO and Grade 7. TechTrack is designed to be an at-pace route to upskilling, meaning that after 18 months to two years on the programme learning on the job, participants will be ready to progress to SEO grade roles, helping to populate the pipeline up to Grade 7.