The National Degree Apprenticeships Conference 2023

Since the introduction of Degree Apprenticeships in 2015, the list of universities that offer programmes is continually rising. The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) has described them as a key component in boosting social mobility and filling skill gaps across the nation. However, despite this, there continues to be a lack of demand from students to enrol and the stigma around apprenticeships persists in many educational institutions. Because of this, universities face significant challenges in designing and delivering new degree apprenticeships that meet the wants of students, as well as the needs of employers.

Recent policies, such as IfATE’s 2022 reforms, have worked to improve how degree apprenticeships are delivered. Higher education sector professionals can build upon this ongoing positive work by sharing exemplary best practice and key insights into collaborating with employers and engaging students to produce high quality, well-structured degree apprenticeship programmes that attract new apprentices.

• According to a Prospects Early Career Survey from 2022, nearly half of A level student respondents viewed apprenticeships as second-rate to getting a university degree
• Sutton Trust reported that only five percent of those starting a degree apprenticeship in 2020/2021 were from lower income areas.
• Government statistics found that degree level apprenticeships only represented 12.4% of all apprenticeship starts for 2021/2022

Join us at The National Degree Apprenticeships Conference 2023 to hear the latest updates from experts leading the way in the development and delivery of degree apprenticeships. Learn from a series of best practice case studies showcasing a range of topics, including supporting apprentices to ensure best outcomes, improving social mobility and working with employers to effectively structure degree apprenticeship programmes. Gain the opportunity to network with senior colleagues and discuss practical solutions to common obstacles faced when promoting the value of degree apprenticeships to schools and employers.

Why Attend:
✓ High level keynotes on the latest initiatives and changes in the landscape of degree apprenticeships
✓ Case studies showcasing best practice in collaborating with employers to provide apprentices with a holistic learning experience
✓ A wide range of topics including integrated training, filling skill gaps and preparing for Ofsted and ESFA inspections
✓ Network with senior colleagues from across the higher education sector
✓ CPD (gain 8 hours of CPD points towards your yearly quota)

NEW AND EXCLUSIVE TO YOUR CONFERENCE PACKAGE – GE Insights:

This year’s conference package includes 12-months FREE access to GE Insights, our cross-sector learning resource of case study focused videos, articles, lived experiences and more (RRP £199). Gain unlimited access to our online platform when you purchase your conference ticket.

Key benefits include:

 ✓100s of Exclusive Case Studies – fingertip access to videos and articles covering all key sectors including Higher Education, and ALL CPD certified

 ✓Key Sessions from All Our Conferences – gain valuable insights from our past, present, and future events (160+ pa)

 ✓Articles and Interviews – learn from our network of expert speakers and contributors explore further the key discussions from the conferences

 ✓Additional CPD Hours – automatically earn more for everything you watch, read, and hear

 ✓Your Own CPD Dashboard – charts your progress, allows you to add notes, download your activities, and save/print an official CPD certificate

 ✓Personalised Homepage – only see the relevant content you need to save time

 ✓30+ New Uploads Each Month – we’re adding new content every week to ensure you stay engaged and informed all year round.

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

• 09.00

  Online Registration 

• 09.50

  Chair’s Opening Remarks 

  Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships, London South Bank University (CONFIRMED)

   

• 10.00

  Keynote: The Latest Policy and Guidance on Supporting the Development of Degree Apprenticeships

  • Insights into IfATE’s 2022 updates and changes in the landscape of degree apprenticeships
  • Ensuring degree apprenticeships are a distinctive product that secure the best of an apprenticeship and higher education: key recommendations
  • Practical advice on determining whether a degree can be mandated in an apprenticeship
  • Developing and delivering an effective end-point assessment: guidance on integration, assessors and external quality assurance

  David Sampson, Head, Products Community Practice, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (CONFIRMED)

  Matthew Quelch, Head of Assessment and Assurance Community of Practice, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (CONFIRMED)

• 10.20

  Keynote: Advice on Designing and Structuring Degree Apprenticeships to Produce High-Quality Programmes

  • Practical guidance on aligning degree learning outcomes with the apprenticeship standard’s knowledge, skills and behaviours
  • Developing internal quality management processes to assure the initial and ongoing quality assurance of degree apprenticeship programmes
  • Collaborating with the What Works Centre on higher education and skills to measure what ‘good’ looks like and what can be improved
  • Tips on co-production between Higher Education Providers (HEPs) and employers to ensure off-the-job and on-the-job learning experiences are well designed
  • Removing barriers to reaching the Office for Student’s B conditions for new degree apprenticeship programmes

  Dr Kay Hack, Principal Advisor for Learning and Teaching, Advance HE (CONFIRMED)

• 10.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 11.00

  Comfort Break

• 11.15

  Keynote: A UCAS Update on Apprenticeships: Opening Students Up to Greater Choice

  • Insights into the current, changing landscape for universities, students and employers
  • The latest updates on UCAS’ platform: promoting apprenticeships alongside undergraduate opportunities
  • Raising the visibility of information around degree apprenticeships to make the application process easier for young people to navigate

  Siobhan Williams, Business Engagement Manager, UCAS (CONFIRMED)

• 11.35

  Case Study: Working in Partnership with Employers to Provide Apprentices with a Holistic Learning Experience

  • Collaborating with employers on combining theory and practice in degree apprenticeships to develop an integrated learning experience
  • Working closely with employers to build strategic approaches to workforce development and maximise workforce learning potential
  • Key strategies for promoting degree apprenticeship programmes to employers and students
  • Providing workplace mentoring to ensure university sessions and workplace training is integrated
  • Advice on co-production between university tutors, mentors, and trainees to design a tailored, practical-driven curriculum

  Thomas Burton, Head of Apprenticeship Delivery, Employer Engagement and Commercial Partnerships, York St John University (CONFIRMED)

• 11.55

  Case Study: Supporting Apprentices Throughout Their Course to Ensure the Best Outcomes

  • Training module tutors and academic course leaders to identify apprentices in need of learning support to provide academic help at the right time
  • Providing apprentices with various accessible support teams to create an inclusive environment for marginalised groups
  • Tips on working with employers to guarantee apprentices achieve and record their 20% on-the-job training
  • Building digital resources to improve access to support for students on degree apprenticeships
  • Strategies for reviewing and monitoring the development of apprentices continually to provide tailored support and drive improvements

  Dr Polly Pick, Director of Business Engagement and Partnerships, The University of Gloucestershire (CONFIRMED)

• 12.15

  Questions and Answers 

• 12.35

  Lunch Break

• 13.15

  Case Study: Engaging with the Ofsted and ESFA Frameworks to Prepare for a Degree Apprenticeships Inspection

  • Insights into the Ofsted Education Inspection Framework (EIF): providing guidance on the methodology for inspection
  • Training staff to understand and familiarise themselves with the key phrases, language and approaches that Ofsted use
  • Practical advice on what to expect from, and being ready for, a ‘Deep Dive’
  • Sourcing evidence from employers to reflect partnership working on degree apprenticeships
  • Guidance on ensuring robust personal development and safeguarding measures are in place for students

  Michelle Elliot, Vice Principal, University Centre Quayside (CONFIRMED)

• 13.35

  Case Study: Levelling up the Region: Designing Degree Apprenticeships to Fill Skill Gaps in the Local Community 

  • Using data to identify industries suffering from skills shortages to support employers in upskilling current employees and developing new talent
  • Providing place-based opportunities to address regional skill gaps and help local areas prosper
  • Improving social mobility: creating opportunities for mature students to upskill or reskill
  • Recommendations for boosting skill levels in local regions to improve productivity and maximise competitiveness

  Sam Moorwood, Head of Work Based Learning, Sheffield Hallam University (CONFIRMED)

• 13.55

  Questions and Answers

• 14.15

  Breakout Networking: Promoting the Value of Degree Apprenticeships to Schools and Employers

  This session will provide you with the opportunity to discuss the main challenges you face in the promotion of degree apprenticeships to employers, schools and parents. You are encouraged to share your experiences and discuss strategies and solutions to overcoming the challenge of attracting new students onto degree apprenticeship courses and employers to take part in developing new programmes.

• 14.45

  Comfort Break

• 15.00

  Case Study: Strategies to Ensure Degree Apprenticeship Programmes Successfully Improve Social Mobility  

  • Providing occupational mobility opportunities for employees wanting to upskill or retrain
  • Identifying and removing barriers that disadvantaged people face when entering higher education
  • Driving awareness of degree apprenticeships to students, parents, schools and other educational institutions to increase intake from underrepresented backgrounds
  • Improving performance metrics to maximise educational and employment opportunities from degree apprenticeships
  • Guidance on refocusing existing degree apprenticeship programmes to centre the needs of disadvantaged apprentices

  Liz Gorb, Director of Apprenticeships, Manchester Metropolitan University (CONFIRMED)

• 15.20

  Case Study: Reflecting on Improving Degree Apprenticeships in the Faculty of Business and Law: The Perspective of the Director of Degree Apprenticeships (BaL) 

  • Developing faculty course leadership teams, their roles and responsibilities
  • Professional development of teaching and course leadership teams to improve apprenticeship delivery
  • Working effectively with central degree apprenticeship teams to improve the apprenticeship journey from recruitment to graduation

  Tara Goddard, Director of Degree Apprenticeships, University of Portsmouth (CONFIRMED)

• 15.40

  Questions and Answers 

• 16.00

  Chair’s Closing Remarks

  *programme subject to change without notice

Delegates who will have an interest in this event will be staff within Higher Education looking to improve and create degree apprenticeships. 

*This Conference is open to Public, Private and Third Sectors

For more information or to make a booking please call 0330 058 4285

We are now taking bookings for our wide range of sponsorship and exhibition packages; we also offer bespoke packages tailored for your organisation.

Why Sponsor and Exhibit at this event:

✓ Network with key decision makers from across the NHS
✓ Meet your target audience in the sector
✓ Listen and Learn from leading industry experts from across the sector
✓ Opportunity to demonstrate your products or services
✓ Speak alongside industry leading experts
✓ Work with your dedicated account manager to generate the maximum amount of leads

Exhibition and Sponsorship Packages:

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Strategic Headline Sponsor:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Pre show marketing email to all registered delegates
• Post show inclusion on presentation email
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or A4 Chair Drop
• 5 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Speaker Pass

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Key Supporter Package:

• 20-minute speaking slot followed by Q&A
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• A4 Insert or Chair Drop
• 1 Speaker Pass
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes

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Exhibition Stand:

• 3x2m Exhibition Space (In the Refreshments and Catering room)
• Power, Wifi, Table and 2 Chairs (If required)
• Branding on Website and Event Guide (Logo and 100 Word Profile)
• 2 Delegate Conference Passes
• 1 Stand Manager Pass

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Insert or Chair Drop:

• 1 Delegate Conference Pass
• A4 insert into delegate pack or A4 Chair Drop

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For more information or to discuss the available option please call 0203 961 5002 or email Sponsorship@GovernmentEvents.co.uk 

• Public Sector Rate:: £449.00+VAT
• Voluntary Sector Rate: : £379.00+VAT
• Private Sector Rate:: £649.00+VAT