Tuesday 5th December 2023
9:30am - 3:50pm
Virtual Conference
The Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Conference 2023 will explore new solutions and the latest practice in delivering high impact apprenticeship provision at level 4 and above. The Conference will bring together leading experts and practitioners to assess the regulatory, funding and delivery landscape, as well as examining some of the core challenges for the apprenticeship market in higher education.
Participants will gain fresh perspectives and actionable insights on navigating a complex regulatory environment, programme delivery amid inflationary pressures, preparing for rolling Ofsted inspections, meeting completion targets and supporting high impact employer engagement to support improved apprentice outcomes.
Headline Speakers
Karen Riley
Deputy Director, Apprenticeship Quality
Department for Education (DfE)
Jennifer Coupland
Chief Executive
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)
Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee
Chief Executive
University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC)
Alastair Wilson
Head of Student Pathways and Progression
Office for Students
Agenda
9:30 am
Chair’s Welcome Address
Yvonne Malpass
Director of Apprenticeships
University of Suffolk (CONFIRMED)
9:40 am
The State of the Higher and Degree Apprenticeships Market and Adapting to an Evolving Regulatory Environment
What follows the Exceptional Funding Band Review and the growing challenge of delivery costs in a high inflation environment
Exploring employer demand across the market and how use of the Apprenticeship Levy is evolving
The impact of IfATE reforms on integrated EPAs into degree apprentices and supporting the effective alignment of degree learning outcomes with KSB’s
Examining the development of external quality assurance and regulatory expectations on apprentice outcomes
Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee
Chief Executive
University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) (CONFIRMED)
Jennifer Coupland
Chief Executive
Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) (CONFIRMED)
Karen Riley
Deputy Director, Apprenticeship Quality
Department for Education (DfE) (CONFIRMED)
10:40 am
Higher and Degree Apprenticeship – Interactions with Policy and Funding
Enabling the development of diverse pathways and flexible provision is integral to the work of the OfS. The session will provide and insight into the work that the OfS has been undertaking through both regulatory activity and funding of providers to enable the sector to grow Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
Alastair Wilson
Head of Student Pathways and Progression
Office for Students (CONFIRMED)
11:00 am
Break and Networking
11:20 am
The Road to 2025: The Quality Question and Preparing for Ofsted Inspections
With Ofsted committing to inspect all apprentice training providers by September 2025, the spotlight falls on quality and how providers can ensure they meet expectations on delivery and apprentice outcomes. This session will explore:
Core steps in preparing for an Ofsted inspection and lessons learnt from providers that have faced the process
The role of the new Apprenticeship Accountability Framework, the indicators used and how the review process is conducted
What effective management of quality and compliance looks like at level 4 and above
Being ready for conversations on learner progress, support mechanisms and managing performance
Breaking down the core areas of scrutiny and ensuring your institution is prepared for data review, staff discussions and observation of provision
Andy King
Apprenticeship Manager, Quality & Compliance
Nottingham Trent University (CONFIRMED)
Sambit Sen
Director of Apprenticeships and Compliance
The University of Sheffield (CONFIRMED)
Dr David Oloke
Head of Technical Education and Apprenticeships
University of Brighton (CONFIRMED)
12:00 pm
The 67% Target: Achievement Rates and Overcoming the Challenge of Non-Completion
Examining the route to meeting the 67% achievement rate by 2025 and how providers falling behind can bridge this gap
Gaining insights from leading institutions with high completion levels and considering the core action points for supporting retention
Designing a programme of early intervention and support for apprentices at risk of non-completion
Re-evaluating programme design, employer collaboration and the quality of training to ensure a strong apprentice outcomes across all touchpoints
Embedding the apprentice voice into development to understand drivers for high satisfaction levels
Rachael Johnstone
Associate Dean for Taught Students (DAs) and Director of the Centre for Degree Apprenticeships
University of Exeter (CONFIRMED)
Mark Bremner
Director and CEO
MBKB Group (CONFIRMED)
Martha Smith
Level 6 Degree Apprentice in Environmental Consultancy, WSP
Member, IfATE Apprentice Panel (CONFIRMED)
12:40 pm
Break and Networking
1:30 pm
Inflation, Regulation and Delivery: How to Thrive in a Complex Higher and Degree Apprenticeship Market
Responding to an increasingly complex regulatory environment for apprenticeships in higher education and how providers can support a standardised and streamlined approach across provision
Managing risk on the long-term certainty of the apprenticeship model and funding structures
Developing resilience to inflationary pressures on delivery costs
Exploring how compliance and reporting in higher education can better adapt to the apprenticeships context
Assessing what needs to change to allow higher education providers to thrive in the apprenticeships market
Celeste Jones
Associate Director Apprenticeships & Professional Programmes
University of Hertfordshire (CONFIRMED)
Mike Punt
Director of Learning at Work and Degree Apprenticeships
University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)
Neil Withey
Head of Apprenticeships
Cranfield University (CONFIRMED)
Professor Darryll Bravenboer
Director of Apprenticeships
Middlesex University (CONFIRMED)
2:10 pm
Employer Engagement: Innovative Approaches to High Impact Partnership
This conversation-led session will bring together two partnerships of providers and employers to examine what effective collaboration looks like in delivering a successful apprenticeship programme. The session will consider:
Adapting programme design and delivery to evolving skills needs
Improving the integration between on and off the job training
Working together to develop the apprentice experience and ensure successful progression
Examining how the quality of employer support and management can be evaluated and optimised
Managing conversations effectively on performance and value for money
Jo Burgess
Director of Professional Apprenticeships
Teesside University (CONFIRMED)
Paul Armstrong
Head of Apprenticeships and Employer Skills
University of Cumbria (CONFIRMED)
Gareth Hopkins
Development Woodland Officer Programme Lead
Forestry Commission (CONFIRMED)
DCI Jayne Downes
Cleveland Police (CONFIRMED)
2:50 pm
Break and Networking
3:10 pm
Not Just Access, but Success: Driving Social Mobility and Supporting Disadvantaged Apprentices to Thrive at Higher and Degree Level
Building higher apprenticeships and non-traditional routes into revised Access and Participation Plans
The challenge of a ‘middle-class grab’ on higher and degree apprenticeships and assessing how access routes can be rebalanced
Exploring changing perceptions and demand on apprenticeships and career paths at pre-18 and what this means for these entry routes
How do we ensure disadvantaged students are not left behind with the challenge of non-completion?
Solutions on enhancing the integration between widening participation teams and apprenticeship programmes to support disadvantaged apprentices to thrive
Professor Sandra McNally
Director of the Centre for Vocational Education Research
LSE (CONFIRMED)
Jenny Pelling
Director of Apprenticeship Development and Diversity
Kaplan UK (CONFIRMED)
Conference Close
3:50 pm
* Programme subject to change
Audience
Senior Apprenticeship Managers
Registrars
Heads of Quality and Standards
Degree Apprenticeship Managers
Apprenticeship Programme Delivery Managers
Associate Deans
Directors of Apprenticeships
Heads of Apprenticeships
Apprenticeship Development Managers
Apprenticeship Compliance Leads
Senior Lecturers
Directors of Curriculum
Heads of Work Based Learning
Pricing
Public Sector
£395 + VAT
Public sector Conference attendance
Private Sector
£595 + VAT
Private sector Conference attendance
HE Professional
£395 + VAT
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