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Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours

What are KSBs?

Knowledge, Skills & Behaviours (often referred to as KSBs) are the foundation of any apprenticeship. They are the core attributes an apprentice must demonstrate in order to be competent in their occupation. KSBs are set out in the apprenticeship standard and the assessment plan for the programme.

To successfully complete their apprenticeship, an apprentice must evidence that the KSBs have been achieved. The assessment strategy for each apprenticeship programme should therefore ensure that the KSBs are met. The End-point Assessment (EPA) will test an apprentice’s competency against the KSBs set out in the standard and assessment plan.

Knowledge

The information, technical detail and ‘know-how’ that an apprentice needs to both attain and understand in order to carry out their duties. Some of these will be specific to the occupation, but some may be broader.

Skills

The practical application of knowledge. Apprentices will have gained skills through both on-and off-the-job training, as well as through experience.

Behaviours

The mindset, attitudes or approaches needed for competence. Behaviours are transferable, so they may be similar across apprenticeship standards. Examples: teamwork, problem solving, and having a professional attitude.

 

Inspectors will judge how well trainers, assessors, coaches and mentors communicate up-to-date vocational and technical subject knowledge that reflects expected industry practice and meets employers’ needs.
— Further education and skills inspection handbook

Key things to think about

  1. Bookmark and/or download the Apprenticeship Standard and Assessment Plan for your programme. You can find this on the IfATE website
  2. Make sure that you are familiar with the statements, link them to your module learning outcomes, refer to them in your teaching

Resources

Ofsted Further education and skills inspection handbook 

IfATE guide to assessment methods used in EPA plans

Acknowledgements

This resource was created by adapting information taken from the blog Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours - what do they mean for you? https://kaplan.co.uk/blog/workplace/knowledge-skills-and-behaviours-what-do-they-mean-for-you

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