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 Education and Skills Funding Agency who regulate compliance, Ofsted will 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. You can read more about Ofsted here. The University was last inspected in 2019 and was judged as 'good', based on our level 4 and 5 apprenticeship programmes. At this next inspection they will be reviewing all our apprenticeships levels 4-7.
We don't know when the inspection will happen, but we know we are due an inspection in the next few months. We need to be prepared as it could be anytime, and we only get two days' notice of an impending inspection. The inspection will be between two and five days long. As soon as we are notified of an inspection, we will let you know.
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 will talk to senior University leaders and managers, teaching and learning staff and look at apprentices' work and visit lessons as part of gathering evidence about our programmes. They will also meet with employer staff and apprentices and may choose to select you and/or a sample of your apprentices for interview. See Appendix 1 for examples of employer interview questions.
Ofsted inspections are part of the University's quality assurance and improvement processes. You and your apprentices' contributions to an Ofsted inspection are important. Please do not worry about the Ofsted visit, they are not inspecting you in any way. Their focus is how we work in partnership with you to provide high quality apprenticeships. Ofsted are interested in the service that we provide to you and your apprentices during their apprenticeship.
Individual Learning Model
The University's Individual Learning Model (ILM) ensures apprentices' education is tailored to their individual needs.
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, Timebound) 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.