Post-Apprenticeship Recognition Scheme (PARS)

PARS is a brand new awards scheme for those who have completed an apprenticeship in the UK. 
It’s brought to you by the Association of Apprentices and the Chartered Institution for Further Education to recognise the unique educational route offered by apprenticeships. 

For the first time, completed apprentices will be able to use post-nominals letters. 

Applications are now open!

 

Certificate of Standard Apprenticeship

Level 2 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Level 5 (Scot)
Fee = £40

 

Certificate of Advanced Apprenticeship

Level 3 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Level 6 (Scot)
Fee = £58

 

Certificate of Higher Apprenticeship

Levels 4 & 5 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Levels 7 & 8 (Scot)
Fee = £64

 

Certificate of Graduate Apprenticeship

Levels 6 & 7 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Levels 9-12 (Scot)
Fee = £75
The fee is a single payment with no need for renewal
Updated Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

  • have completed an apprenticeship in the UK on or after 1 January 2019
  • be in possession of their official apprenticeship completion certificate – they cannot apply unless they have received this certificate
  • have the support of their employer or an industry-linked sponsor

Application Process

The application process is really quick and straightforward. You will just need to complete some basic personal information, answer some general questions about your apprenticeship experience, and (for some levels) provide further information based on your personal reflections on your apprenticeship journey. Please see an overview of the information asked here:

All levels

Personal details (name, DOB, contact details, employer, training provider and apprenticeship details)

All levels

General questions describing skills and additional experiences

From Level 3 (Eng/NI/Wales) Level 6 (Scot)

Tell us briefly about the benefits of achieving your apprenticeship (up to 250 words)

From Level 4 (Eng/NI/Wales) Level 7 (Scot)

Two free text boxes (up to 250 words each):

  • Briefly describe how you are continuing your professional development, any training, learning & development you have undertaken, and any future plans.
  • How do you think your apprenticeship will help you to progress and contribute to your organisation, industry and/or wider community?

Case Studies

Learn more about some of our first PARS recipients, why they decided to apply and what the learned in the process

The Importance of Professional Recognition

Research conducted with apprentices and employers suggested strong support for a professional recognition scheme. Award of post nominal designations may elevate the cachet of both the recipient and the apprenticeship route and maintains a continual link to the apprenticeship. Apprentices and employers alike believe that a scheme will: 

  • support increased retention, normalise full completion and help to improve achievement rates
  • contribute to raising parity of esteem
  • build awareness of the skills, behaviours and impact that qualified apprentices offer to businesses

What this scheme is, and what it is not:

PARS is:

  • a one-off recognition of an apprentice’s achievement at a specific point in time
  • recognition of the unique mode of learning and working that is an apprenticeship
  • recognition for a qualified apprentice, their summative achievement and the impact that they have made as a result on their organisation and/or community.
  • complementary to industry specific or occupational professional recognition

PARS is not:

  • an accreditation with membership of a professional body
  • an accreditation ladder where one level leads to another
  • a qualification in its own right
  • an assessment of competence
  • a further validation of technical or occupational competency
General

PARS is a brand new, first of its kind, professional recognition scheme for qualified apprentices. It has been created by the Association of Apprentices (AoA) and the Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE).

PARS recognises the unique educational route that is an apprenticeship and rewards those who complete their programme for the skills they have gained and their commitment to continuous development and professional standards. Recipients will receive a certificate and the right to use a post-nominal designation (letters after their name).

No. PARS is not an accreditation with membership of a professional body, a qualification in its own right or an assessment of competence. It is a one-off recognition of an apprentice’s achievement at a specific point in time and is complementary to academic, industry-specific or occupational professional recognition.

Applicants must:

  • Have completed an apprenticeship in the UK (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales) on or after 1 January 2019
  • Be in possession of their full apprenticeship completion certificate from the relevant certifying authority for England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales
  • Have the support from their employer or industry-linked sponsor
Apprenticeship Level Award Name Post-nominal designation
Level 2 (Eng/NI/Wales)
Level 5 (Scot)
Certificate of Standard Apprenticeship CSA
Level 3 (Eng/NI/Wales)
Level 6 (Scot)
Certificate of Advanced Apprenticeship CAA
Levels 4 & 5 (Eng/NI/Wales)
Level 7 & 8 (Scot)
Certificate of Higher Apprenticeship CHA
Level 6-8 (Eng/NI/Wales)
Level 9-12 (Scot)
Certificate of Graduate Apprenticeship CGA
LevelAward NameFee
Level 2 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Level 5 (Scot)
Certificate of Standard Apprenticeship (CSA)£40
Level 3 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Level 6 (Scot)
Certificate of Advanced Apprenticeship (CAA)£58
Levels 4 & 5 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Levels 7 & 8 (Scot)
Certificate of Higher Apprenticeship (CHA)£64
Levels 6-8 (Eng / NI / Wales)
Levels 9-12 (Scot)
Certificate of Graduate Apprenticeship (CGA)£75

Fees have been set based on the size and scope of application at each level. AoA and CIFE are not-for-profit organisations and committed to keeping costs to a minimum. Fees will be reviewed every six months to ensure they remain as low as possible.

Successful applicants will receive a digital certificate by email and a hardcopy certificate in the post. You will then have the right to use the relevant post-nominal designation for the level of award achieved.

  • Gain Recognition for the skills you have gained during your apprenticeship and validate your achievements. Your award and post-nominals serve as a valuable signpost for both you and those you work with.
  • Get Professional Validation: your PARS post-nominals demonstrate your commitment to professional standards, showcase your transferable skills and credentials and strengthen your reputation, increasing your professional identity and enhancing your credibility with stakeholders.
  • Boost Your Career Advancement: having PARS post-nominals distinguishes you in your field and more widely. It demonstrates your commitment to continuous development, enhancing your employability and making you stand out to your employer or potential employers, opening doors for career progression.
  • Access Networking Opportunities: PARS gives you lifetime membership of the Association of Apprentices, connecting you to a community of like-minded professionals who have completed their apprenticeships. You can attend networking events and access online platforms to share experiences, continue your learning and build valuable contacts.
  • Contribute to Apprenticeships: PARS provides a tangible example of how apprenticeships benefit individuals and employers. Your accomplishments can help new and existing apprentices aspire to achieve their apprenticeship and helps employers to understand the assets apprentices are to their business.

The application gives you an opportunity to tell us about the experiences, achievements and skills that have resulted from your apprenticeship. It is the critical part of your PARS application. Where there are free text questions it means that we want to hear and understand more from you in your own words.

Our judges are seeking answers which are honest, authentic and truly reflective of your impact and experiences as an apprentice, but there are no right or wrong answers. They consider applications very carefully. If an applicant provides all the information requested and answers the questions appropriately, then they will pass. If insufficient information has been provided, then the applicant will be contacted to request they update their application form. 

The Association of Apprentices (AoA) is a social enterprise dedicated to empowering the UK’s talented apprentice community. As the leading apprenticeship membership organisation, we go beyond traditional support systems, offering a unique blend of professional development and social connectivity.

Our innovative platforms provide apprentices with unparalleled access to:

  • Networking opportunities that foster lifelong professional relationships
  • Cutting-edge career development tools for continuous growth
  • A sense of community that strengthens the apprentice voice across industries

The Chartered Institution for Further Education (CIFE) is the only Royal Chartered body for technical and professional further education. It was established by Royal Charter to highlight and promote the excellence of further education and skills training providers and celebrate individual contribution to the advancement of vocational, technical and professional education in England.

Membership is corporate and encompasses organisations across the whole Further Education sector and includes colleges, higher education institutions (HEIs) and independent training providers (ITPs). Members must have strong track records and a commitment to high standards in the delivery of skills needed in modern Britain, a firm ethos of collaboration for the benefit of their key stakeholders and excellence in leadership and governance.

The CIFE works alongside industry to influence and shape the national skills system in order to ensure that technical and professional education is understood as a critical driver of economic development and growth within local communities and the country at large. This work enables the CIFE increasingly to engage at the highest levels of government and to collaborate and share best practice.

Application Process

You can apply via our online platform from Monday 8 July. The application form has been designed to be as straight forward as possible. Those who have completed a L2 or L3 (Eng/NI/Wales) or a L5 or L6 (Scot) apprenticeship will have fewer questions to answer than those at higher levels. 

You will need to upload a digital copy of your apprenticeship certificate as part of the application process, and will not be able to submit your application without it.

Although individual applicants vary in how long they spend on the application form, most take under an hour. The form is shorter for Level 2 and Level 3 applicants, so it will probably take up to 30 minutes to complete.

Yes, once you’ve registered your account on the first screen, your application form will auto-save, so you can exit the form and come back to it later.

You can use AI tools to get you started or to help finesse the wording you are using. However, the PARS application form requires you to reflect on your apprenticeship and provide personal examples. PARS is not a test of how well you write or providing a perceived ‘correct answer’ to a question – it needs to come from you and your personal experience of your apprenticeship. If a judge suspects that answers to questions have been generated by AI, they may request the applicant to provide additional information or to re-write the queried response.

You will need to upload the official apprenticeship completion certificate sent to you by the relevant issuing authority for your UK nation.

England: Apprenticeships are certificated by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE). Degree apprenticeships (at level 6 and upwards) certificates may be issued on behalf of IFATE by the degree awarding university but it must clearly state that the apprenticeship has been completed. See an example image here.

Northern Ireland: Apprenticeships are certificated by ApprenticeshipsNI and also show the branding of the Department for the Economy. Degree apprenticeships (at level 6 and upwards) may receive a combined certificate issued by the degree awarding university but it must clearly state that the apprenticeship has been completed. See an example image here.

Scotland: Apprenticeships are certificated by the Federation for Industry Sector Skills & Standards on behalf of Modern Apprenticeships Scotland. The certificate will also display the brands of Skills Development Scotland, the SAAB (Scottish Apprenticeships Advisory Board) and the SCQF in the footer. Degree apprenticeships (at level 9 and upwards) may receive a combined certificate issued by the degree awarding university but it must clearly state that the apprenticeship has been completed. See an example image here.

Wales: Apprenticeships are certificated by the Federation for Industry Sector Skills & Standards on behalf of the Welsh Government and will display the Apprenticeships & Prentisiaethau branding. Degree apprenticeships (at level 6 and upwards) may receive a combined certificate issued by the degree awarding university but it must clearly state that the apprenticeship has been completed. See an example image here.

Your official apprenticeship completion certificate from the relevant issuing authority is the official evidence that you have gained the apprenticeship, and it is required as part of the PARS application process.  

If you only recently completed your apprenticeship then your certificate may be on its way to you. If you believe you should already have your completion certificate but haven’t received it, ask your training provider to help you.

Unfortunately, AoA and CIFE are unable to assist individuals in gaining their completion certificates.

If you have completed more than one apprenticeship then you should apply for the award related to the highest level that you have achieved, so you would only have one set of letters after your name. If you gain one PARS award, and then a few years later gain another one at a higher level, then that post-nominal would replace the one at the lower level.

If you aren’t sure which nation your apprenticeship is from and therefore which award level you’re applying for, you will need to check your completion certificate. Once you know which issuing authority created your certificate you will know which award level you are applying for.

We ask you to provide the name and contact details for someone we can contact in the rare event we need to carry out additional checks of information provided in your application. The supporter should be a professional or person in authority such as your manager, the apprenticeship lead at your workplace, your training provider or another industry-linked person.

You’ll need to provide their name, role and contact details, so you will need their permission to share this data with us. They won’t have to provide any information or statements for the application process itself.

We aim to respond to all applicants within 6 weeks of submitting their application form. 

We aim to respond to all applicants within 6 weeks of submitting their application form. Once the review process has been completed you will receive an email from PARS advising of the outcome. At this point your details will be passed into our certification process and your certificate will be prepared.

Once you application has been accepted and you have received the initial notification of the outcome, your details are passed to our certification team and your digital and printed certificates are prepared.

Within a few weeks, you will receive an email with a unique URL & pin which will give you access to view and download / save your digital certificate as a PDF.

Your physical printed certificate will be printed and dispatched to the address provided in your PARS application a few days later.

If you lose the link to the certificate portal, you can go to our certificate portal homepage, and click the “Recover Login” link.

You will be asked to enter your email address (the one you supplied with your PARS application) and request an access-recovery email. Alternatively, you can also email us here and we’ll help you to re-set your login to the certification portal.

Contact Us
If you have any questions, please email pars@associationofapprentices.org.uk.

Hammad Lateef CSA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Level 2 Supply Chain Warehouse Operative with Business Improvement Techniques NVQ

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: Amazon UK Services Ltd

Most recent job title: Fulfilment Centre Associate

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

As an apprentice, I was motivated to apply for PARS for several reasons. I wanted acknowledgement of my hard work, achievements, and skills gained during my apprenticeship. It will also help with career advancement; the opportunity to enhance my CV and increase my chances of securing better job opportunities and promotions. PARS will help with my personal development as it gave me a chance to reflect on my apprenticeship journey, celebrate my progress, and set new goals for the future.

Being recognised as a PARS achiever reflects positively on my employer and demonstrates the quality of my apprenticeship programme. It also has a broader community impact, contributing to a culture of excellence within the apprenticeship community and inspiring future apprentices.

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

Being acknowledged as a PARS achiever enhances my CV, making me more competitive in the job market and increasing my chances of securing desirable roles. I believe it will also open doors to career advancement opportunities, including promotions, salary increases, and access to higher-level roles within their industry. 

Being featured as a PARS achiever increases my visibility within my industry, and helps me build my personal brand as a skilled professional in my field.

Participating in PARS will have a positive effect on my professional development, paving the way for long-term career success and fulfilment.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

Reflect on your apprenticeship experience and celebrate your journey.

Jordan Lewis CGA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: BT

Most recent job title: Digital Marketing Campaign Manager

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

I was nominated to apply by the Early Careers HR team in my organisation, having recently completed my apprenticeship. Straight away, I recognised that being part of the pilot scheme was a brilliant opportunity to not only reflect on my personal apprenticeship experience but to also contribute to the future recognition and appreciation of apprenticeship qualifications in the UK, as well as helping to guide others that are exploring similar career pathways.

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

The scheme has helped to build an awareness of the skills and behaviours that I developed during my programme, and I feel that there is already an increased appreciation of apprenticeships within my organisation. More broadly, PARS elevates the apprenticeship pathway to people who feel unsuited to the traditional university route.

In terms of career growth, the scheme enables me to be involved in the apprenticeship community going forward and network with others who have followed a similar path, sharing ideas, experiences, and perspectives. As awareness for PARS grows, we will see organisations continue to recognise the impact of apprentices and invest in these programs which further validates an apprenticeship as a strong competency, which will positively impact future career opportunities across a range of industries.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

Go for it! PARS is a great way to round-off your apprenticeship experience, by reflecting on your development, as well as providing a great opportunity to stay connected with the wider community as your career progresses.

Emma Nolan CGA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Level 6 – Digital & Technology Solutions, Software Engineering pathway

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: Thales

Most recent job title: UX Designer at OneFile

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

Apprenticeships provide learners not only with a qualification, but also with a wealth of personal and professional development. Skills such as confidence in the workplace; time management between conflicting priorities; and industry processes, are unique to the experience of completing an apprenticeship.

PARS recognises the growth obtained from the unique challenge of being an apprentice. I wanted to be able to highlight the skills I bring as an employee, having completed my apprenticeship. I also wanted to be able to support other apprentices through PARS going forward, so that they can showcase the development from their apprenticeship journey too.

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

I hope PARS will contribute to my career growth by highlighting the unique skills I bring as an employee, having completed an apprenticeship. As the scheme grows, I hope employers begin to recognise the unique qualities of candidates carrying the PARS post-nominals; therefore enabling apprentices to progress their careers without the existing negative judgement, and displaying the benefits and value of apprenticeships to employers.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

Watch this space! The process of applying for PARS was simple and straight-forward. Should you want any help or advice with your application, you will be able to reach out to myself and the other apprentices carrying their post-nominals through AoA Connect!

Zakaria Bentaleb CHA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Operations/Departmental Manager Level 5

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: Umbrella Training

Most recent job title: Careers & Talent Director

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

I wanted to be recognised for my achievement in getting the level 5.

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

It provides a platform for every apprentice to strive toward and makes your achievements shine.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

Apply! The post-nominals you receive add a marker of achievement to your name. 

Holly Mae Darling CGA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Level 7 Accountancy Degree Apprenticeship

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: Siemens plc

Most recent job title: External Relations Assistant

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

Getting the recognition for completing the apprenticeship side, by which I mean all the extra bits, such as skills, behaviours and the network of people you gain from studying through the apprenticeship route.

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

I’m proud to have completed an apprenticeship and highlight it with the same importance of finishing a degree. For me, it’s important to clearly show the apprenticeship badge as a reminder of all the hard work and amazing things I’ve accomplished on the scheme.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

I’d recommend going for PARS around 3-6 months after signing off your apprenticeship. It’s good to put down the apprenticeship admin and get settled in a permanent role before completing the forms, it gives you some time to reflect.

Bilaal Khan CHA

Apprenticeship title and level completed: Associate Project Manager, Level 4

Company where you completed your apprenticeship: Via East Midlands

Most recent job title: Programme Management, Strategy, and Risk Intern at the Cabinet Office

What motivated you to apply for PARS?

I wanted recognition for the transferable skills I developed. Whilst the knowledge, skills, and behaviours for my apprenticeship standard did include interdisciplinary competencies, PARS is not focused on your industry-specific abilities, but your character, for example, your resilience, standards, integrity, and contribution to the wider community. This is done objectively through examples during and after your apprenticeship, and is endorsed by an organisation who can attest to these characteristics. 

How do you believe participating in PARS has or will contribute to your professional development and career growth?

Post-nominals for former apprentices will hopefully be the start of an inflection point to equivalence of apprenticeships with the traditional route, from an employer’s perspective.

What advice would you offer to apprentices seeking to apply for the scheme?

Use situation, task, action, and result for concrete examples of how you repeatedly display that competency. Then, link this to the skill and reflect on how this helps you professionally. 

Jan Richardson-Wilde

CEO, Occupational Awards Limited

Jan is the CEO of Occupational Awards Limited, a Director of the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink and an FE College Governor. She has over 35 years’ experience in the education sector in strategic and operational management of training programmes with colleges, private training providers, local authorities the voluntary sector and not for profit organisations. Jan has previously been a board member of the Learning and Skills Council, chair of the North Yorkshire Training Provider network and Vice-Chair of Yorkshire Coast College and a Governor of the Grimsby Institute for Further and Higher Education. She has extensive experience of education policy, apprenticeships, qualification, and curriculum development as well as business improvement.

Jan joined OAL in 2019, a leading non-profit industry-focused Awarding and End-Point Assessment Organisation, supporting a wide range of employers and of key stakeholders to succeed and surpass expectations. Jan is committed to continuous improvement and enthusiastic about improving the effectiveness, impact and quality of apprenticeships, education, and training in the UK and internationally. She has a wide range of experience of working in a collaborative context with employers and training providers to develop End Point Assessment, apprenticeships, and a wide range of vocational programmes.

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