Given the announcement from the Prime Minister on 24 September with the news that employers are being ‘asked’ to consider rebalancing investment in favour of training younger people and the suggestion that levy funding will be removed from a ‘significant number’ of level 7 apprenticeships, don’t miss the opportunity to discuss the implications of the new policy on delivery, in a safe space, with other organisations who believe in the principles of an all age, all level skills and apprenticeships system.

The UVAC National Conference 2024 programme includes:

Morning Keynotes from: 

Richard Parker, Metro Mayor for West Midlands

Liz Gorb MBE , Director of Apprenticeships, Manchester Metropolitan University

Prof Deborah Johnson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, London South Bank University

In addition the morning session includes conference sponsors Aptem, leading a session on ‘Learning needs assessment in apprenticeships’ and The Skills Federation leading a panel Discussion ‘Addressing the Challenges in Delivering Degree Apprenticeships’.

Breakout workshop sessions:

How to attract and engage Employers to recruit apprenticeships

Susanna Lawson – Co-founder OneFile Ltd

A practical application of AI: a structured way to explore enhancements to the UVAC website and knowledge base using a custom Generative AI solution to provide immediate contextualised natural language responses

Phil Sanders, Co-Founder & Commercial Director, Instro AI Solutions, Director of PS EdTech consultancy practice.

When worlds collide – the realities of managing triple regulation in degree apprenticeships

Adam Greenwood and Dr Rihana Ishaq, Leeds Beckett University

Degree Apprentices for all – Reflections on Recruitment and Practice for diverse learners.

Sam Moorwood, Sheffield Hallam University and Charlynne Pullen, Principal Research Fellow, Sheffield Hallam University

Mainstreaming International Best Practice: Developing Skills Excellence 

WorldSkills UK Centre of Excellence in partnership with NCFE

Managing the accountability framework risks – practical advice on strengthening your position

David Lockhart-Hawkins  and Tim Chewter, Strategic Development Network (SDN)

Financial viability of Degree Apprenticeships

Associate Professor Rachael Johnstone, Dean of Professional Education and Partnerships & Director of the Centre for Degree Partnerships, University of Exeter and Dan Hallam, Head of Degree Apprenticeships at the University of Exeter,

Recognising Prior Experiential Learning (in degree apprenticeships): New ways of thinking – Why we should, why we aren’t, and how we could be doing it.

Helen Pokorny (University of Hertfordshire), Dr Sarah Bloomfield (The Open University), Dr Joanna Booth (Nottingham Trent University), Victoria Rosamond (University of Derby) and Dr Trevor A. Brown (Manchester Metropolitan University).

Advancing Technical Careers: The Role of T Level Industry Placements in Higher Education

Joanne Hartley-Metcalfe, Universities T Level Support Manager, UK Institute for Technical Skills and Strategy

How to support the development of digital competencies in HE professionals

Breda Leyne, Alex Sloan, Rob Allison

Professions and higher-level apprenticeships

Dr Stan Lester, Stan Lester Developments & UVAC Associate

Degree Apprenticeships in England: what can we learn from the experiences of apprentices, employers and HE providers?

Dr Andrea Laczik; Katherine Emms; Dr Joshua Patel, The Edge Foundation

Afternoon Keynotes from:

Ben Blackledge, CEO, WorldSkills UK

Alistair Wilson, Head of Student Pathways and Progression, Office for Students

Kerry Boffey, Founder, Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN)

You can book your tickets now HERE or find out more about attending in our FAQs.