Does Firebrand use British Computer Society (BCS) exams as replacements for vendor exams within apprenticeship programmes? Can I swap the BCS ones for vendor ones?

All Firebrand apprenticeships contain a number of different elements required to complete and pass the qualification. For example, some elements include a summative portfolio, Off-The-Job training, Ofqual-regulated Knowledge Module exams with BCS and sometimes vendor qualifications.

Each apprenticeship has a written standard (these can also be found on the Tech Partnership website) which details the knowledge modules each apprentice needs to pass in order to achieve the apprenticeship qualification. All Firebrand apprenticeships have between two and five Knowledge modules, depending on the programme. In each standard it is detailed which knowledge modules and vendor exams the apprentice will need to complete.

In some programmes, there is a mix of vendor and Ofqual exams and others require just the Ofqual exams. Firebrand don’t swap vendor exams for British Computer Society (BCS) exams. In most cases Firebrand will include a vendor qualification because the standard specifies that the apprentice must achieve one professionally recognised vendor qualification in the standard.

The Firebrand Level 4 Network Engineer programme is a good example of this. The programme has three knowledge modules, of which the apprentice can attend a variety of accelerated training courses to cover these. However, the standard states “Apprentices must achieve one internationally recognised vendor or professional qualification. This then exempts them from one of the Ofqual-related knowledge modules”. As outlined in the standard, if an apprentice completed all the vendor exams for this programme they would still need to pass two Ofqual regulated BCS exams.

Firebrand will not use BCS exams to replace vendor qualifications as often the vendor qualifications are not necessary or relevant to the apprenticeship.

Does Firebrand use British Computer Society (BCS) exams as replacements for vendor exams within apprenticeship programmes? Can I swap the BCS ones for vendor ones?

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