Learning & Teaching Conference 2022

Following the announcement in 2021 that all Level 6 and Level 7 Degree Apprenticeships were going to come under the remit of Ofsted, universities and training providers delivering this provision had to make substantial changes to ensure they met the new compliance regulations. Among the many changes made by the University of Portsmouth was the creation of the Work-based tutor role, whose responsibilities include conducting regular progress reviews with the degree apprentices to ensure they remain on track to complete their studies and to identify any barriers that are negatively impacting on their learning journey. With over 900 tripartite progress reviews now having been conducted involving the apprentice and their line manager, the work-based tutors have had a unique insight into the perceptions of the degree apprenticeship provision by those on programme and their employers. This presentation will look at the University's Degree Apprenticeship provision, discuss the perceptions, both positive and negative, of the apprenticeship programmes and offer some suggestions that may be of use going forward to improve the apprentices' experience whilst on course. 

The aims of the session are to: 

• Highlight the perceptions of apprentices on DA programmes where teaching provision is a mix of apprentices and undergraduate students, with the main aim being to provide practical recommendations/considerations for course and module leads to enhance apprentices’ perceptions of their programme. 

• Highlight the number of courses and modules that mix undergraduates and apprentices within their provision (cost effective and logical but not without problems) 

• Highlight apprentices’ perceptions of the challenges that they face on these programmes 

• Present recommendations and share good practice to enhance apprentices’ perceptions of their programme