Partnerships with Employers & Apprenticeships

As universities look to respond to the Government's skills agenda with increased apprenticeships provision, the nature of the partnerships they are forming are increasingly complex and diverging from the norm. Not only do they need to take account of traditional responsibilities around academic quality and standards but those of other regulatory and funding bodies such as Ofsted and the ESFA.

This session looks at a range of cases studies from universities which have entered into partnership arrangements with other higher education institutions, training providers and/or employers where they may be responsible for the academic award and may or not be the lead provider for ESFA funding rules. There will be an exploration of differences in responsibilities in setting up and maintaining ongoing oversight depending on the role within the partnership. There will also be an update on current regulatory requirements.

PROGRAMMME

10.00 Welcome and introduction, on behalf of CVU

10.10 Apprenticeships: a long policy perspective

Mandy Crawford-Lee, Chief Executive, UVAC

This session will offer a contextual and regulatory overview from the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) – the not-for-profit organisation offering independent advice and sector advocacy on all matters relating to higher and degree apprenticeships.

10.40 The Police Education Consortium: Rising to the challenges of integrated professional learning

Darryll Bravenboer, Director of Apprenticeships, Middlesex University

Dominic Wood, Head of School of Law, Criminal Justice and Policing, Canterbury Christ Church University

This session will outline how the Police Education Consortium has sought to realise the Police Education Qualification Framework, introduced by the College of Policing, in transforming policing from a level 3 occupation to become a graduate profession. Focussing on the requirements for partnership working with four universities and three police forces, this has included the co-design, co-development, co-approval and co-delivery of the Police Constable degree apprenticeship and the Degree Holder Entry Programme. The primary aim of the Consortium is to work in partnership with police employers to transform policing education by comprehensively integrating higher education learning with professional policing practice. The session will address the significant challenges that arise from navigating complexity across the dynamic cultural contexts involved, while seeking to sustain high-quality and consistency of provision.

11.10 BREAK

11.25 Degree apprenticeships: Reflecting on the university–employer partnership to deliver impact from work-based learning projects

Michelle Crook, Recruitment and Qualifications Manager, JD Wetherspoon

Professor Martin Reynolds, Leeds Business School

Jane Welbourn, Leeds Business school

11.55 Three short case studies:

Multifaceted partnership working with an NHS Trust – from training provider to validating body

Claire Nixon, Head of Quality and Development, University of Essex

Degree Apprenticeships with an FE partner: don't look up!

Dr Myfanwy Davies, Head of Quality Enhancement and Senior Lecturer, Student Services (Directorate), Bangor University

Employer Engagement in Apprenticeship Delivery

Vicky Patterson, Apprenticeship Manager, and Nikki Davison, Curriculum Manager, Leeds College of Building

12.30 Panel Q&A

13.00 Close