Working with employers

Working with employers is fundamental to the development, delivery and success of all degree apprenticeship programmes. Co-creation with employers should include:

• co-creation of the curriculum and logical sequencing of the modules
• co-design of flexible modes of delivery for example blended or online learning
• ongoing co-ordination and planning of both on and off the job learning, ensuring alignment with  workforce development need and employer priorities
• development of authentic assessment activities which benefit the workplace, and contribute to the development and enhancement of practice, as well as evidencing the achievement of the KSBs
• provision of guest lectures, case studies and live briefs
• participation in review meetings
• sharing feedback about apprentices progress and the impact of their learning at work
• discussion of the apprentice's career and personal development
• regular feedback about the currency and relevance of the programme and the delivery

What is 'on the job learning'?

For all degree apprentices, the workplace is the primary source of learning; learning which happens in the context of the learner's day-to-day work activities is known as 'on the job learning'.

What is 'off the job learning'?

To make sure that apprentices have time to focus on learning, employers are required to provide a minimum of six hours per week (for a full-time employee) for what is known as 'off-the-job learning'. Off the job learning cannot be part of an apprentice's normal work duties. It might include:

• day release, block study or online study
• self-directed study
• job shadowing
• insight visits
• training and CPD which takes place at work

Planning, co-ordinating and integrating learning

Working with employers is essential to plan and co-ordinate the learning which occurs in the workplace and the off the job learning. Where possible, off-the-job learning should be aligned with the day-to-day work activities to maximise the apprentice’s opportunities to develop and apply the KSBs.

Resources

Bravenboer, D. (2016), "Why co-design and delivery is “a no brainer” for higher and degree apprenticeship policy", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. 6 No. 4, pp. 384-400. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-06-2016-0038 ( accessed 21/6/24)

QAA Higher Education Apprenticeships Toolkit https://www.membershipresources.qaa.ac.uk//en/teaching-learning-and-assessment/work-based-learning-and-apprenticeships/higher-education-apprenticeships-toolkit

QAA Higher Education in Apprenticeships Characteristics Statement  https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/higher-education-in-apprenticeships-characteristics-statement.pdf