The Apprenticeship Route to Higher Education

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The Apprenticeship Route to Higher Education

• David K Fisher
• Aimhigher Project Manager

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Presentation Summary

• What are Apprenticeships?
• Issues surrounding apprentices in HE
• History
• Recent drivers
• The obstacles
• Their value to HEIs
• Some case studies

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Apprenticeships

• Pilot scheme introduced in 1994 as Modern
  Apprenticeships
• 2001 Cassels Report - Modern Apprenticeships
  the Way to Work
• Confirmed importance of Apprenticeships
• Promoted importance of progression to HE
• Established Technical Certificates to make the
  progression easier
• 2004 Modern Apprenticeships re-launched as
  Apprenticeships

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Apprenticeship Frameworks

• Each Apprenticeship framework consists of
• An NVQ at the appropriate level (2 or 3)
• Key skills in subjects defined by the relevant
  Sector Skills at an appropriate level
• A Technical Certificate, which provides the
  underpinning knowledge
• Nationally over 180 Frameworks from
  administration to transportation

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NVQs

• National Vocational Qualifications
• Established by employers representative
  organisations (Sector Skills Councils)
• Show that a candidate is competent in the area of
  work the NVQ represents.
• Reflect the skills and knowledge needed to do a
  job effectively
• QCA has sole responsibility for accreditation of
  all NVQs

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NOSs

• National Occupational Standards
• Statements of the skills, knowledge and
  understanding needed in employment
• Clearly define the outcomes of competent
  performance
• Can also be used for training, appraisal,
  recruitment and retention planning.

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Apprentices in Higher Education

• Long history in the traditional apprenticeship
  areas such as engineering
• Many studied for an HNC as part of the
  Apprenticeship
• Many more entering HE from other skill areas

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Apprentices in HE the drivers

• HEFCE Widening Participation funding
• Aimhigher agenda
• LSC Compacts
• Apprentices - blazing a trail for others
• Tomlinson (and diploma development)
• Grants for part-time study

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Apprentices in HE the advantages

• Apprentices bring many attributes with them to
  HE
• Proven ability to work and learn
• Greater drive to succeed
• Practical skills
• A more mature outlook because of work experience
  and age

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Apprentices in HE the disadvantages

• Because of their style of learning there may be
  some disadvantages
• A possible lack of report-writing skills
• Referencing techniques
• Less used to classroom lectures especially on
  full-time courses

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Admissions assessment issues

• NVQ Level 3 is equivalent to A-Levels
• BUT how many points?
• Technical Certificates BTEC Nationals have a
  UCAS tariff
• BUT what about the other Technical
  Certificates? (CG, OCR, etc)
• Key Skills 20 points at Level 3, 10 points at
  Level 2

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UCAS

• Have developed a training programme for
  admissions tutors that includes non-A level
  access
• Currently working with the LSC to assign a tariff
  to Apprenticeships. E-skills UK and SEMTA
  are piloting this for 2008.

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Case studies

• Emma FdA in Business
• James BSc in Motorcycle Design
• Asaf BEng Mechanical Engineering
• Mary BA in Primary Education
• Emma LLB

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Emma Paipala

• Apprenticeship Business Administration with
  Kadtal in Keighley
• Employer Airedale NHS Trust
• HE Course Foundation Degree in Business
  (part-time)
• Location Harrogate College
• Graduated 2007

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James Fenton

• Apprenticeship Engineering with LTT in Leeds
• Previous Employer BT Rolatruc
• HE Course BSc Motorcycle Design (full-time)
• Location Kingston University
• Graduated 2006 First Class Honours

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Asaf Mahmood

• Apprenticeship Engineering with MYCCI
• Employer Rockware Glass
• HE Course Foundation Degree in Engineering
  Technology at Wakefield College
• BEng Mechanical Engineering, University of
  Bradford (part-time)
• Graduated 2007 (IIii)

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Mary Coleman

• Apprenticeship Sports with Dewsbury College
• Previous Employer Kirklees Council
• HE Course BA in Primary Education with Physical
  Education (full-time)
• Location Leeds Trinity and All Saints College
• Graduated 2007 (IIi)

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Emma Tankard

• Apprenticeship Business Administration with
  LITT in Leeds
• Employer Walker Morris (Law firm in Leeds)
• HE Course LLB (Hons)
• Location Leeds Metropolitan University
  (part-time)
• Due to graduate 2008

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ANY QUESTIONS?
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