Between March and July this year, the AWD programme 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) undertook to deliver a large number of online, face-to-face and in-house bespoke activity to providers of all types and sizes, delivering all levels of apprenticeships.

The offer comprised the following:

Strand 1: Assessor to Teacher

• Understanding How we Learn
• Developing How to Teach

 Strand 2: Effective Technical Teaching

• Enhancing Pedagogy and Professional Practice
• Preparing for End Point Assessment Success

 Strand 3: Technical Curriculum Design

• Effective Curriculum Design in Practice
• Principles and Models of Curriculum Design

Strand 4: Apprenticeship Leadership

• Developing Your Team
• Effective Use of Resources

These modules were supported by a downloadable guide on Working Effectively with Employers which includes checklists, self-assessments and action plans for organisational use. UVAC recommends it as useful reading.

To find out more about the early phase AWD programme and register for the self-directed training and resources that still remain please go to the ETF booking site. 

 As a result of this delivery, ETF has summarised a number of observations which reflects the value of the early AWD programme and its benefit to practitioners working across further education, higher education and work-based learning organisations. It is intended that the new programme of support, with its emphasis on addressing the DfE’s strategic priorities, will make an even greater impact on raising the qualification achievement rate (QAR) and reducing withdrawals of apprentices during the active learning period.

Satisfaction 

• Overall satisfaction is very good at 94.12% across the full offer responding, ‘I was satisfied with my learning experience overall’.

Effective Practice

• Trainers have extensive experience and expertise working in apprenticeships and were able to confidently answer questions posed to them by the participants… data which shows a 98.04% satisfaction level with the skills and knowledge of the trainers.
• There are opportunities for participants to work and learn in a collaborative manner with sector colleagues throughout the sessions.
• Opportunities for deliberate practice are embedded within the sessions, allowing the participants a safe and supportive space to put some key learning into practice.

Participant Feedback

In addition to the feedback obtained through surveys, additional informal feedback has been obtained. This is a combination of verbal feedback provided to the ETF Quality Team speaking to participants during the observation of sessions, and participants who have emailed partners directly.

Direct written feedback

Exeter in-house course:

‘Wow! Thank you so much, I didn’t leave the lecture theatre for at least another 40 minutes after the session delivered by Chris, so many positive comments, lots of reflections & many that are going back to make improvements to the scheme of work (SOW), the employer element provided time for many to reflect and really begin to consider how to develop the relationship with the employer, involving them greater in the curriculum design not just as a holistic delivery plan but more the individual apprentice & business. Chris, an absolute pleasure to listen to you yesterday, a true expert & brought some real value to the Apprenticeship Team.’

Pareto in-house course:

‘Thank you again for the last two informative days. Very much appreciated for getting us all to widen our perspectives and think out of the box of new ways to enrich our coaching methods. The biggest positive was getting us all to work together in groups in rotating breakout rooms, collaboratively to share best practice. Some of us have never really met for example and collaborated in this way. My biggest takeaways were the drawing of the shapes task today and various interpretations which was a good method of getting your message across. Also, to actively take that time out to reflect on improving Functional Skills engagement with use of Edtech tools. Confident will see positive impacts in the coming weeks. Keep up the good work!’

Verbal feedback received by the ETF Quality Team during observation of sessions:

 ‘I have really enjoyed it; it has given us loads of actions but just need to implement them now.’

‘I am an English tutor so not all completely relevant, but I am here to get an understanding of what my colleagues have to do and consider. I have enjoyed it and found it interesting.’

 ‘Management feedback- both trainers have been great. The course has come at the right timing for us, and we can take all these elements forward. We will be reviewing our own processes and will use this to help.’

 ‘Finding it really beneficial and has helped me to develop an action plan for myself’.

 ‘Wasn’t sure what to expect from a free course and had thought I might slip out early, but I am gaining so much information and ideas to consider that I am really looking forward to the afternoon session.’

‘I am new in role, so it has been great to hear the advice from the trainers and talk to others about their experiences’.