The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education is advertising for a chief executive, with officials insisting it is part of civil service procedures.

Sir Gerry Berragan took the helm of what was then known as the Institute for Apprenticeships in November 2017, taking over from former Education and Skills Funding Agency chief executive Peter Lauener, who had held the position on a temporary basis since the institute’s inception.

Sir Gerry took up the post after two rounds of the recruitment process had failed to identify a suitable candidate for chief executive. Under civil service rules, as he had not undergone a “full competitive selection process”, the job had to be advertised within two years. 

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A spokesperson for the IfATE said: “He was a non-executive board member at the time and offered to serve as chief executive.

“But having not gone through the full competitive selection process, he could only be appointed for a maximum of two years under Civil Service Commission rules. So the post was always going to have to be competed again in 2019.”

The advert on the Civil Service Jobs website reads: “We are now seeking a new chief executive to lead the organisation. This is a unique and great opportunity to positively influence the Institute at an exciting stage in its development and drive forward the skills landscape of this country.

“We want the institute to assure the development of high-quality apprenticeships and technical qualifications so they are viewed and respected as highly as other education routes.”