1. Director of Employer Partnerships
Getting Started
Sarah Tudor
Director of Employer Partnerships

2. Why are apprenticeships important to us?
The
CONNECTED
University

3. Apprenticeships and our Connected University
Connecting Communities Attracting new students from our local and regional communities Supporting employers & employment
Innovative & Applied Learning Delivering skills for work through real and virtual learning True employer partnerships will enhance all our curriculum offers
Talented People Employer
Building social capital, widening participation, enhancing progression, Developing employer links to enhance employability of wider student population
Ambition 500 starts in 2017
[750 pa by 2020]

4. Lessons learned People Resource Strategy Employer Engagement
Exec level input / drive vital to push change through
Make sure colleagues are aware about the impact on them early
People
You need a team now – with sufficient resource to operate at speed
Resource
Understanding of regional skills needs & priorities
Targeting - you can’t do everything
Strategy
Involve your employers in design
Marketing must be about and directed to employer, apprenticeship and apprentice
Employer Engagement

6. Lessons learned Policy Governance Operations Communications
Monitoring, engagement, interpretation
Get used to operating without answers
Policy
Steering group with involvement from all academics and services
Make and take decisions - don’t let governance be a block
Governance
You can never do enough e.g. Workshops - get the discussion moving
Getting people used to apprentice vs student
Communications
Apprenticeships need action across many functions – need participation from every area
Get your end to end process clear ASAP
Operations

7. Tips Read the funding rules – every time they are published
Follow the SFA on Twitter!
Use sector networks to share experiences
Make use of support organisations and representative groups e.g. UVAC, UUK etc.
Make use of support organisations and representative groups e.g. UVAC, UUK etc.
Develop a strong relationships with your regional SFA Provider Manager and Employer
Develop a strong relationships with your regional SFA Account Manager
Ask questions… lots of them!

8. Good Luck