Funded by the Department for Education (DfE), the AWD programme is being 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) with SQW acting as independent evaluators. So, in essence a 6 way partnership. 

The partnership has been working with the apprenticeship sector since last 2022 to shape this unique programme of CPD for apprenticeship practitioners, and to determine how this significant investment in the workforce, by Government, is spent. We have run a survey of need and followed up with focus groups; conversations that have led to a focus on key success characteristics to address current challenges including apprentice retention and problematic achievement rates for some standards and certain sectors.  

From a personal perspective, UVAC is delighted that there is a new phase of the AWD programme now available for all providers covering all levels of delivery. The notion that apprenticeships are the domain of traditional industries, craft and trades and not an appropriate route to enter professional job roles has been firmly set aside. Higher education is a key player in the apprenticeship system to deliver the skills individuals and employers need and has a track record of working with employers and professional bodies to create programmes that develop and recognise the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to be professionally competent. With this shift comes the reality that apprenticeship programmes must be designed to recognise that most of an apprentice’s learning will be derived from their work. So, the developments of modules that look at all aspects of the apprentice journey including professionally oriented curricula, apprentices’ reflexive skills, integrated approaches that seek to align qualifications, professional status and apprenticeship certification more effectively, and much, much more, are absolutely good news.

To register for AWD programme modules, sign-up HERE.