Wednesday, 17 July 2024
The university’s excellent employer relationships, resulting in teaching that ‘relate[s]...to industry practices well’ and supports apprentices working in challenging and demanding roles’ have been praised in the university’s first full Ofsted Inspection of its Degree Apprenticeship provision.
Professor Jonathan Tallant, Academic Director for the Institute of Professional and Work-based Learning, which governs the University of Nottingham’s apprenticeship provision, said:
'The result of the Inspection demonstrates that we are achieving our aim of using our high calibre teaching and research to develop apprentices with substantial knowledge, skills and behaviours in their occupational areas. Our apprentices are going out and having a real impact in industry and we’re immensely proud of what they are achieving.'
The report highlighted that the ‘Quality of Education’ and ‘Leadership and Management’ of the university’s degree apprenticeship programmes were of a particularly high standard. It recognised that the university’s programme delivery teams ‘are highly qualified and experienced’ and that they ’use their expertise to provide apprentices with up-to-date knowledge.’
Read the report now.
‘Teachers work well with employers to provide apprentices with good opportunities to practise what they study at work. Apprentices are challenged to complete demanding work that matches the curriculum, and teachers mark it to an exacting standard. This helps apprentices to develop a high level of expertise.’
Apprenticeship programmes are designed with industry and the university’s excellent relationship with employers has been highlighted throughout the report.
Lizzy Martin, Employer Engagement Manager for Degree Apprenticeships explains:
‘We work hard to build close relationships with employers and industry through initiatives such as our Annual Employer Forums, Employer Review Meetings and Industry Panels. The support and feedback we receive from our employer and apprentice community is invaluable. Working together to facilitate that two-way flow of information beyond tripartite reviews enables us to work together to continuously develop and ensure our programmes are closely aligned with industry need.’
‘Employers are understandably highly satisfied with the communication and relationships they have with staff. Leaders consult frequently with employers about what their needs are. They use this information very well to inform apprenticeship curriculums. Employers highly value the guidance they receive from university staff to recruit and support their apprentices.’
Ofsted make judgements against four criteria in its inspection framework:
- Quality of education
- Behaviour and attitudes
- Personal development
- Leadership and management
It then awards an overall grade, as well as a judgement on whether effective safeguarding processes are in place.
During the university’s inspection, Inspectors carried out a deep dive of three of the university’s degree apprenticeship programmes:
This involved carrying out interviews with the programme delivery teams, observing teaching, interviewing staff from across the university as well as employers and apprentices accessing the programmes.
Head of Professional and Work-based Learning Ruth Eccles said
“‘Ofsted look to build a picture of the quality of delivery by triangulating with apprentice, university and employer. The willingness of our apprentices and employers to engage with the process and assist with building that picture was incredible and demonstrates the strong community we have built around our programmes.”
Ofsted's remit was extended in April 2021 to cover level 6 (bachelor’s) and level 7 (master’s) apprenticeship programmes, bringing the university’s Degree Apprenticeships into scope for the first time.
Since they launched in 2018, the university has welcomed more than 500 apprentices onto its Degree Apprenticeships and works with over 160 employers, ranging from local SMEs to global businesses.
Find out more about our Degree Apprenticeship programmes.