12 November 2009
54.This section enables the Secretary of State to designate a person to issue recognised English apprenticeship frameworks relating to a particular sector. However, this would still allow Sector Skills Councils and other sector bodies to issue frameworks over more than one sector. A person designated under this section is referred to as “the English issuing authority”. Subsection (2) provides that there is to be only one person authorised to issue frameworks for a particular apprenticeship sector. The Government’s intention is that, in England, frameworks will be issued by Sector Skills Councils working in partnership with Standard Setting Bodies. Subsection (3) requires a person authorised to issue apprenticeship frameworks to comply with directions and guidance given by the Secretary of State in carrying out this function.