Each of the three breakout sessions at UVAC’s conference gives you the choice of five workshops – but  such a full schedule we know that it’s going to be hard to choose your sessions and that’s why, whether you join us in person or online, you’ll have access to every session recording, plus all the bonus exhibitor resources after the conference.

Here’s what on the agenda for the first breakout session 

Recognition of Prior Learning and accelerated degree apprenticeships 

Dr Helen Pokorny, University of Hertfordshire  

This workshop will look at the potential of RPL to promote the retention and attainment of part-time, mature learners on degree apprenticeships. An integrated model of RPL will be considered along with the opportunities and challenges for curriculum design. Participants will have the opportunity to share different approaches to translating and transferring prior learning from work contexts into credit for mandated qualifications, reducing the length of the apprenticeship.

Driving Growth by Delivering Exceptional Apprenticeship Provision: A Step Change for HE? 

Lou Doyle, MESMA 

Dan Lally, Sheffield Hallam 

It isn’t a secret that HEIs have found the transition to delivering the complexities of apprenticeships challenging at times. New regulatory bodies, funding regimes, and employer demands have resulted in many questioning and modifying internal policies and processes to accommodate provision that remains relatively low volume yet carries both high risk and resource.

Successful apprenticeship growth is a result of stable high-quality provision, underpinned by the ability to identify and resolve problems quickly.

In this workshop, Lou and Dan will share their experiences of creating the conditions needed to make ‘exceptional’ a reality, the pitfalls along the way, lessons learned, and practical ideas for the audience to take away and apply.

University Managing the compliance risk during growth – scaling provision and avoiding the common pitfalls 

David Lockhart-Hawkins, Strategic Development Network

As institutions grow their apprenticeship provision it is vital to understand the compliance foundations necessary to ensure they safeguard their revenues. This will not be simply in the format of the templates or software used to manage provision, but in the structures, human resources and control methods in place to assure that the funding claim is accurate and being monitored effectively because as volume grows, so does risk.   

Using our significant experience of compliance and quality development in apprenticeships, this session will look at the structural foundations for effective apprenticeship compliance, the roles and duties necessary to build a strong foundation and the data analysis and reporting that will be vital for sustainable compliant growth.  

Surfacing The Practices of Apprenticeship Tripartite Reviewer/Coaches In Business Schools 

Dr Helen Charlton, Northumbria University 

Dr Phil Power -Mason, Hertfordshire Business School 

Since the 2017 launch of the apprenticeship levy, UK Higher Education providers have navigated complex tripartite relationships among providers, employers, and apprentices. This session, based on data from the #CUBApprenticeships2023 conference, examines the diverse roles emerging to meet these demands, shedding light on role scope, practices, and challenges. Attendees will gain insights into the evolving apprenticeship reviewer/coach roles impact on providers and learners, fostering discussion and reflection.

AI for the Average Joe in Education 

Erica Farmer & Hayley Bird, Quantum Rise

Don’t forget to bring your laptops to take part in this interactive breakout session which will give you an opportunity to learn about the practical application of using generative AI, such as chatGPT.