Degree Apprenticeships
The University has a long history of delivering apprenticeship and the current drive to deliver higher and degree apprenticeships represent a valuable means through which to apply our existing strengths in education and research to address the local and regional skills gaps thus meet the workforce development needs.
Higher and degree apprenticeship offer an alternate way to study. With the current model of apprenticeship in England, the employer selects the programme of study with the training provider of their choice. The development of higher and degree apprenticeship will draw upon existing expertise within the Schools, CAQA, Life Long Learning and Employment, and that of our industry partners.
Our intent is to delivery flexible, work-based training programmes at levels 5, 6 and 7 that combine full time work with an industry designed qualification.
The University is regulated as an approved Apprenticeship Training Provider (APAR) and is required to operate within this framework in the delivery and management of its apprenticeship provision. Schools who choose to develop and deliver apprenticeships must operate within this framework, policies and processes established by the University, to ensure continued compliance with all regulatory demands.
The steps required to develop an apprenticeship (higher or degree) are set out in the CAQA guidance document. The four key stages are:
- Initial scoping: employer demand, approved apprenticeship standard and assessment plan and outline design of training programme.
- Academic Development Committee approval and training programme validation requirements
- Development or redevelopment of the apprenticeship training programme
- On-going management of quality assurance and compliance of the apprenticeship training programme.
Developing and approving or approval of a higher or degree apprenticeship is a collaboration between employer, Schools, CAQA, CLASS and Life Long Learning and Employment compliance teams.
Quality Assurance of Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
Internal Quality Assurance
All apprenticeship programme are subject to formal quality assurance regulations required for the annual monitoring and evaluation of all programmes leading to University award. In addition, for higher and degree apprenticeship programmes, will complete an additional section in the Continuous Enhancement Planning process action plan (CEP) and an annual evaluation/self-reflection on the apprenticeship programme based on the requirements of the Education Inspection Framework.
This action plan will form the basis for the School level Self-Assessment Report required for the University’s Self-Assessment Report and Quality Improvement Plan. This is outlined in UPR AS17 section C2.
External Quality Assurance
All apprenticeship provision is subjected to scrutiny from the Education and Skills Funding Agency and compliance with their Funding Rules must be achieved.
In addition, Ofsted are the appointed inspectorate for level 5, 6 and 7 apprenticeships. They will inspect the apprenticeship provision only. The Office for Students retains responsibility for the oversight of the quality of the academic content.
Integrated End Point Assessments are monitored by the Office for Students and are subjected to scrutiny in the form of readiness and monitoring checks. The External Quality Assurance (EQA) is carried out in line with the EQA framework published by the Institute of Apprenticeships & Technical Education.
University staff can find further guidance and forms related to Degree Apprenticeships on the HertsHub CAQA site (Herts login required):