High Quality Apprenticeships
Our Apprenticeship Programmes
Development and Engagement Managers in our Apprenticeship Service Unit (ASU) are your organisation's direct link to the University. Apprentices' line managers work with our Learning and Development Coaches (LDCs) to help ensure that apprentices progress through their programme. Our induction process aims to ensure both you and your apprentice know what to expect from the University of Salford and what you need to do to support apprentices effectively in the workplace. You have access to briefings, updates and handbooks to help you navigate through the apprenticeships and support your apprentices.
Apprentices who need additional support due to their learning needs or vulnerability are encouraged to have a Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP). If you feel we can improve how we support you or your apprentices, please email apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk
We aim to ensure apprentices leave us with the growth mindset and employability skills that will help them adapt and thrive throughout life, and in their longer-term career developments. We prepare apprentices for life in modern Britain by teaching them how to protect themselves from radicalisation and extremist views (PREVENT). Our apprenticeship programmes embed the British Values of democracy, individual liberty, the rule of law and mutual respect and tolerance.
Progress Review Meetings (PRM), attendance monitoring and tracking compliance are used to monitor how your apprentices are progressing. We work with you and your apprentices to take early intervention if things go off track. We are continually improving our systems to make it easier for you to work with us and ensure your apprentices meet the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) of the apprenticeship standards. For example, we are currently rolling out One-File E-portfolio software across our programmes. Your apprentices have access to a wide range of academic and well-being support services that can be accessed online and in person.
The University has a long history of providing industry focused higher education. Our Vision is that: 'By pioneering exceptional industry partnerships we will lead the way in real-world experiences preparing our students for life'. We are a top-ranked Higher Education Institution for 'Working with Business' see the 2022 Knowledge Exchange Framework (KEF2) results. Employers work with us at all levels: University, School, and programme. They help plan both the programmes we offer and the details of the education and training those learners get when they study with us. We do this through market research, surveys of employers and alumni and Industry Liaison Boards.
Regulation of Apprenticeships
As well as the Department for Education (DfE) who regulate compliance, Ofsted ensure our apprenticeship provision is meeting quality standards. Ofsted is the Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills. They make sure that all organisations providing education and training services in England do so to a high standard; this includes apprenticeships. Ofsted use information from a wide range of sources to help build a picture of what it is like being an apprentice at Salford. They talk to senior University leaders and managers, teaching and learning staff, employer staff and apprentices, and look at apprentices' work and visit lessons as part of gathering evidence about our programmes. You can read more about Ofsted here.
In 2024, Ofsted inspected our apprenticeship provision and has confirmed our grading outcome as Good. This outcome is a testament to the hard work, commitment, and dedication of colleagues and employers in supporting our apprentices to develop substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours, whilst having the best apprenticeship experience possible.
Amongst the findings, our strengths include:
- Highly qualified and experienced staff
- Individual Learning Model to plan personalised curriculums
- High-quality resources
- Collaborative working with employers.
Individual Learning Model
The University's Individual Learning Model (ILM) ensures apprentices' education is tailored to their individual needs.
The ILM consists of
Individual Learning Plan (ILP)
An Individual Learning Plan (ILP) based on individual starting points, six fundamentals and the apprentice’s target for End Point Assessment.
- Individual Starting Points
- Self assessment to KSBs
- Prior learning
- Prior experience
- Additional learning needs
- BKSB Maths and English results
- Six Fundamentals
- Target for the apprenticeship (EPA
SMART goals
SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time-bound) goals based on the ILP.
Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) and/or Optimum Plan
Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP) – some apprentices with additional needs will be provided with a RAP.
Supportive Action Plan (SAP)
Supportive Action Plan (SAP) – apprentices not progressing as expected will have a SAP in place to ensure they are supported to reach timely progression.
Progress Review Meetings (PRMs)
Progress Review Meetings (PRMs) – the ILP, RAP and SAP will be reviewed at regular PRMs.
Review of ILP for next level of study
As a minimum, the ILP will be reviewed each time the apprentices moves to another level of learning (e.g. Level 5, Level 6 etc.).
Starting Points
At onboarding, every apprentice provides information which forms the basis of their individual starting points.
- Self assessment against the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours (KSBs)
- Prior learning
- Prior experience
- BKSB Maths and English initial assessment
- Any additional learning needs
Supportive Action Plans
Not all apprentices will need a supportive action plan. If an apprentice is not progressing academically, or with their off-the-job hours or is generally struggling for any reason, the university will put a supportive action plan in place.
You Said, We Did
Thank you for your continued feedback.
Based on insights gathered from previous surveys and employer forums, we have made several improvements to our platforms and the way we deliver our services to you as an apprenticeship provider.
We are committed to ongoing improvement and regularly monitor feedback to identify areas where we can enhance our support. Below are some of the key changes we have already implemented in response to feedback from our valued employer partners.
Employer
We have clarified how to contact us should you have any queries
All apprentices and employers have a dedicated Learning and Development Coach. Coaches are your first point of contact for any queries regarding your apprentice.
We also have Apprenticeship Development Managers who you will have had conversations with during recruitment and onboarding. You can book in a meeting with your Apprenticeship Development Manager at any time. Please refer to our employer hub to remind yourself of your account manager’s details.
In addition to the above contact routes, we also have a centralised apprenticeship inbox (apprenticeships@salford.ac.uk) which you are welcome to use, and you will be directed to the relevant individual / team for your enquiry.
Any employer induction sessions will identify points of contact within the University in relation to specific issues you may have.
We have improved the relationship between what apprentices' study at university and what they learn in the workplace
We have recently updated the Progress Review Meeting form in OneFile which allows for a more structured conversation aligning workplace and academic skills at each of the reviews.
We have also introduced ‘Magic Links’ in OneFile which allows for easier signing of PRM forms without the need to log in to the system.
We also have an employer newsletter which is sent out twice a year which includes everything you need to know including reforms to apprenticeships, new programmes on the horizon, top tips for supporting apprentices as well as information about upcoming events.
Curriculum plan documents are published and give an overview of the apprenticeship programme and modules. There are explicit links between the content of each module and suggested workplace learning opportunities.
We have improved how we track progress of apprentices
All employers who require access (line managers and / or apprenticeship leads) now have access to our OneFile apprenticeship system whereby they can access off-the-job progress, module outcomes (pass or fail) and updates on the Individual Learning Plan (ILP). The system also affords the employer the ability to access the Progress Review Meeting forms as well as individual learning plans and action plans.
We have defined Manager / Mentor expectations more clearly
There is a dedicated section of our Employer Hub (Manager Information) that covers everything from onboarding and off-the-job to gateway and end point assessment. We have also created 3 Apprenticeship Guides to support employers and apprentices in their apprenticeship journey. These are also hosted on the Employer Hub.
Apprenticeship Guide - Six Fundamentals
Apprenticeship Guide - Individual Learning Model
Apprenticeship Guide - Understanding Apprenticeships
We have also recently created a guide for employers to encourage confident support of apprentices with neurodiverse needs:
We host regular (at least annual) Employer Forums where all employers are invited (on campus or online) to join a structured session whereby programme leaders will cover the course content and link this to workplace off-the-job as well as giving our employers the opportunity to feedback on our programmes.
We are also currently piloting an additional area on our Employer Hub dedicated to work-based mentors / managers who are at the start of their apprenticeship journey with us and want to be able to access a ‘Welcome Area’ to understand their role in the apprenticeship journey and how best they can support their apprentice. Watch this space for updates!
We have improved our support for Apprentice Assessment (formerly End Point Assessment)
We offer a wealth of support for apprentices and employers for Apprentice Assessment which includes an overview of the apprentice assessment during the apprentice and employer inductions. Some of our programmes host bespoke apprentice assessment support sessions and our Learning and Development Coaches are always on hand to support with any queries. Apprentice Assessment and the support the university offers to both apprentices and employers is a continuous improvement piece for the university whereby we are always looking for ways to enhance our service to employers and apprentices and further improve apprentice outcomes.
Apprentice
We have improved the relationship between what apprentices' study at university and what they learn in the workplace
We have recently updated the Progress Review Meeting form in OneFile which allows for a more structured conversation aligning workplace and academic skills at each of the reviews.
We have reviewed and are starting to improve the process whereby apprentices receive feedback on academic work
The University has researched A.I. Blackboard plug-ins with the aim of making feedback to you of higher quality and quicker. The AVA feedback assistant is currently being assessed to see whether it meets our needs. We will keep you updated as soon as we have made any changes in this area.
We are working to improve awareness of Support Services
The University has created a new Safeguarding online Blackboard module which is available to students and apprentices. The module highlights local risks to Salford and signposts the Report IT service throughout.
Preparing for Apprentice Assessment (formerly End Point Assessment)
We offer a wealth of support for apprentices and employers for Apprentice Assessment which includes an overview of the apprentice assessment during the apprentice and employer inductions. Some of our programmes host bespoke apprentice assessment support sessions and our Learning and Development Coaches are always on hand to support with any queries. Apprentice Assessment and the support the university offers to both apprentices and employers is a continuous improvement piece for the university whereby we are always looking for ways to enhance our service to employers and apprentices and further improve apprentice outcomes.