Rebecca Strachan, Associate Dean (Business and Engagement), Faculty of Engineering and Environment

Sue Graham, Business and Engagement Team, Research and Business Services

Higher Apprenticeships – Developing and Embedding a University-wide Approach

Overview of Presentation

*Background to Project

*What we did

*What we found

*What does this mean for:

*The University?

*The Higher Apprentice/Learner experience?

*The Employer?

*Over to you – questions and issues

Higher Apprenticeships

Project - Phase 1

*What?

*Who?

*Why?

*What next?

Higher Apprenticeships

Project – Phase 2

*Barriers and Issues

*Enablers

Higher Apprentices – The Learner Experience

Earn while you learnMinimum pay (£80) may be an issue though many get paid more

Where sizeable group, can provide good peer supportSupports those who prefer a more practical/applied learning experience

Apprentices may be immature/unmotivatedApprentices may need support on academic skillsThe word ‘apprenticeship’ may not naturally be associated with Level 4 education and above

The Employer Experience

Can recruit to fit organisational needsCan tailor learning to organisation requirements

(within limits of the HA framework)Can draw down funding to help with costsCan be a ‘long’ job interviewCan be seen as preferential option to placement

provision and graduate recruitmentWhere large groups, can have economy of scaleFunding and rules can be complex and difficult to

navigate particularly for SMEs

Higher Apprenticeships – In Practice

Level 4 framework, 2 x 20 intakes per year, large employer

Deliver 200 days of learning over three year- 1 day a week during term time

Joint delivery 50:50 between employer and education provider

Preference to deliver HE aspects at the university not the employer

Needs to be a partnership between employer, apprentice and provider

Funding and process can seem complex and difficult to navigate

*Questions…