Driving apprenticeship success with Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD)

Posted on November 13th, 2024

This blog is written by Bradley Goldsworthy, Apprenticeship Development Specialist at Strategic Development Network (SDN), as part of the Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme. The AWD programme is funded by the Department for Education and is delivered by the Education and Training Foundation in partnership with the Association of Colleges (AoC), Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP), Strategic Development Network (SDN), and University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) and supported by SQW as an independent evaluator.

The Apprenticeship Workforce Development (AWD) programme is dedicated to enhancing the quality of apprenticeship training across the sector by equipping educators and training providers with the right tools, resources, and networks. As the demands of industries continue to evolve, AWD provides the support needed to ensure the apprenticeship workforce can thrive in line with the government’s aim of 67% apprentice retention.

As part of the programme, The Apprenticeship Action Groups (AAGs) ran in support of the live offer, allowing a safe space for fellow practitioners to come together regularly to discuss, develop and evolve their internal practices across a whole host of different aspects of the apprenticeship journey, i.e. onboarding and EPA readiness. Participants agreed that sharing best practices and ideas as well as having an expert facilitator helped enhance the experience for the group.

The AAGs have played a crucial role in the AWD programme. These groups provided a platform where the FE workforce could share best practices, address challenges, and drive sector-wide improvements. In the FE sector, we can sometimes work in isolation – AAGs counter this by promoting the sharing of successful practices.

One participant said of the AAGs:

“It has been really beneficial talking to others – it has made me feel like I’m not alone. … we are always looking for ways to improve. I’m always very keen to talk to other providers, experts, those who work with employers in other providers. It has been a really good mix of people going to the groups I’ve been to.”

The AAGs have now been completed but building on their successful work, the AWD partners have developed a series of resources tailored to the apprenticeship journey, each requiring only minimal customisation to seamlessly integrate into your apprenticeship provision. Our goal was to create tools that are ready to use, rather than documents that merely explore various topics.

These resources are integral to helping you deliver quality training and are easily accessible on the ETF’s Learning Management System (LMS) under AWD Resource Bank. They cover important aspects like curriculum design, health and safety, collaborative projects, and employer engagement. Trainers can visit the platform to download these resources, participate in related webinars, and join the AAGs for additional peer support.

Here’s a sample of what’s now available…

  1. Early Review Template with Guidance
    This resource provides a template to support trainers in conducting early reviews with apprentices. It includes comprehensive guidance to ensure that progress is tracked and any initial issues are addressed promptly. It helps trainers to set clear expectations and action plans, ensuring apprentices start on the right path and with the correct support network.
  1. Early Teaching and Learning Engagement Activities
    Engaging apprentices early is crucial for long-term success. This set of activities aims to promote active learning from the beginning, incorporating innovative teaching methods that cater to diverse learning styles, helping to kickstart lessons effectively.
  1. Gateway Checklist with Guidance
    The Gateway Checklist is a crucial tool for tracking apprentice readiness for the assessment phase. It offers a step-by-step approach to ensure all required criteria are met before entering the gateway stage, thereby increasing the chances of successful completion. This resource gives you three approaches to align with your current processes and curriculums.
  1. Progress Review Examples
    Examples of templates and best practices for conducting thorough progress reviews, from Level 3 to Level 6 apprenticeships. These examples can be customised to your specific needs, ensuring consistency in monitoring apprentice development and linking back to your curriculum (scheme of work).
  1. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Guidance and Tool
    This tool and accompanying guidance help assess and integrate prior learning into the apprenticeship programme, ensuring that each apprentice benefits from a personalised learning plan.
  1. Training Plan Walkthrough
    A detailed guide for developing effective training plans that align with apprenticeship standards. It covers key elements like setting learning objectives, structuring on-the-job training, and evaluating outcomes.

Find more information on the AWD offer, and to book yourself onto our popular live courses.

If you have any queries about support for apprenticeships, please contact AWD@etfoundation.co.uk.