16 & 17 February HLSP What level training do we want; helping turn employer needs in to the right level of HE provision from Fds to Masters and CPD Meeting the Challenge for Higher Level Skills 4 Years of Partnership in the North West The Lowry Hotel Manchester

Heather Iwanow MSc, BA (Hons), FHEA, CText FTI Senior Lecturer in Fashion Business Department of Clothing Design and Technology Hollings Faculty Manchester Metropolitan University Areas: –Teaching –Research –Consultancy – individual companies, UK Government bodies and associated organisations (e.g. Defra), British Council, EU, WTO and UN through the ITC Open Professional Programme

3 This presentation will cover how, through engaging in discussions with relevant stakeholders, the needs of the sector, employers and employees are investigated, interpreted and aligned with Higher Education. This involves determining: –The right learning level to meet the training and development needs of the company and its employees –The ability of the learner to progress through a range of units –The relevant curriculum content Open Professional Programme

“As revealed by Drapers (January 28), brands and retailers have begun to look again at UK production bases because of rising labour costs and increased competition for capacity overseas. However, growth has been slowed by a lack of skilled workers, forcing some manufacturers to turn down orders or, in the case of LS Manufacturing in Wolverhampton, recruit skilled workers from Eastern Europe.” –Rushton, K. (2011) ‘Sector backs skills campaign’ Drapers [online]. Available at backs-skills-campaign/ article [accessed on 11 February, 2011] backs-skills-campaign/ article Open Professional Programme

“……Drapers has launched an SOS (Save Our Skills) campaign to challenge the Government and relevant organisations to go much further in their support of skills training. Apprenticeship schemes and training courses are two vital ways of doing this.” –Brown, J. (2011) ‘Putting out an SOS to save UK skills’ Drapers [online]. Available at out-an-sos-to-save-uk-skills/ article [accessed on 11 February, 2011]. out-an-sos-to-save-uk-skills/ article Open Professional Programme

Sector Engagement Investigation of employer and employee needs through discussions under the Higher Level Skills Partnership (HLSP) remit: –Visits to companies and during company visits to Hollings –External agencies NWDA North West Development Agency BCIA (now UKFTA) British Clothing Industry Association / UK Fashion & Textile Association Skillfast (now Skillset) - the sector Skills Council NWUA North West Universities Association Textile Institute Open Professional Programme

Interpreted of HLSP into the Open Professional Programme (OPP) –Feedback led to the identification of areas, which were developed into units Validation and accreditation to aligned with Higher Education –Units were taken through the university’s procedures Open Professional Programme

Training Level and Progression OPP is a rolling programme of short courses Each unit offers a bite-sized approach to work-based learning, which is delivered over 2 and 3 days Individuals accrue credit towards a university qualification Units have an academic value of 5 or 10 credits at Levels – 6 – 7 (1 st year at university → postgraduate level) Partner institutions (at Level 4) –Liverpool Community College –Wigan & Leigh College Open Professional Programme

Curriculum Content OPPs at Hollings Faculty Department of Clothing Design and Technology (CDT) Units covering: Design and Illustration Product Development Pattern Cutting and Modelling Garment Construction Sizing and Fit Protective Materials Textile Testing and Analysis Sustainability Department of Food Management and Tourism (FMT) Units covering: Food Processing and Technology Product Development Management and Finance Marketing N.B. Further units are available in the Department of Science and Engineering Open Professional Programme

This has resulted in a range of units that are accessible to the sector, allowing companies to invest in developing skills and raising the quality of their employees’ output. This, in turn, can increase motivation and job satisfaction for the employee, allowing them the option of progressing from one level of study to the next. Units are added to the OPP when feedback identifies a need. Open Professional Programme

Contact Details Further information can be gained from: Heather Iwanow OPP co-ordinators at Hollings CDT Georgina Housley FMT Haleh Moravej Open Professional Programme

Thank you for your attention Are there any questions? Open Professional Programme