Higher Apprenticeships In Practice

29 January 2015

Sandra Kelly Head of Education Whitbread

Our higher apprenticeship

programme Programme Summary •15 mth - Hospitality Management

•5 residential learning blocks.

•Employed team leader on

progression to management role

•Assignment, portfolio based,

professional discussion and hands

on learning model, stretch theory

•External assessment with online

progression reviews with internal

assessor manager

Benefits to our Business•Advanced Apprenticeship progression

•Alternative to Graduate programme

•Internal succession, cost saving

•Retention improvements, cost saving

•Higher learner engagement scores

•Social purpose increase from team

•Changing perception of sector

•Attraction tool

•Careers not jobs

Expectations and Arrangements

•Training Provider model delivered

internally with external verification

from Awarding Organisation

•Fully contextualised programme

with field based and pastoral

support for learners in real time

•Model enables a live learning

environment, supported by

individualised plans and industry

competent coach network

Benefits and Wider Opportunities for HEIs

•Time to transform relationship with

employers with national and

geographical alignment

•New relationship with Birmingham

City University to deliver MSc

•Remote and block release model

with lectures and tutorial support

How our partnership works

Delivery Realities

Delivery Challenges•Changed assessment model up-

weight assignment stretch

•Operational ownership with line

manager accountabilities

•In line with business cycle needs

•Flexible starts in line with pipeline

•Release from business to attend

residential blocks

•New way of writing for delegates –

new experience of formal written

assignments

How These Were Resolved •Model reviewed by experts

•Target reporting cascade

•Assignment writing workshop

•Effective use of professional

discussion and observation to

evaluate knowledge

The Future

What is Planned ?Level 5 and level 6 explored to

evolve into a full degree alternative

Evaluate social and financial return

on investment as a business case

Changing perceptions of alternative

education and importance of sector

professional standards and status

Partnership approach with HEI to

better manpower plan across UK

matching skills development with

real employment opportunities

Focus on Talent Banking principles

Questions