Summer Activities for Apprenticeship Providers

The summer holidays are a great time for apprenticeship providers to step back, review the past academic year, and prepare for the year ahead. Here are some suggested activities that providers can undertake during the summer break:

• Review apprentice progress and achievement data. Gather and analyse results across all standards, cohorts, demographics etc. Look for trends and patterns in the results. Identify any groups or areas that are underperforming compared to others. Develop specific plans and interventions to address any gaps or issues identified in the data.
• Check in with employers to get their in-depth feedback on the past year’s apprenticeship training. Survey employers to gauge satisfaction levels across key areas like quality of training, preparedness of apprentices, communication, support provided etc. Schedule phone interviews or small group discussions to collect qualitative insights directly from managers and mentors. Use this valuable employer feedback to shape program enhancements and improvements for the coming year.
• Conduct a full audit of all compliance documentation, policies, procedures, forms, handbooks etc. Review them against the latest regulations and quality criteria. Make any updates needed to ensure full compliance. Streamline any processes or remove redundant paperwork to prevent compliance issues. Provide updated training to staff on changes.
• Dedicate time for curriculum planning and development. Work closely with employers to review and finalise standards and assessment plans. Map out detailed delivery plans and schedules for each program. Develop teaching and learning materials. Identify resources required. Plan how/when assessments will be conducted. Confirm processes for tracking progress.
• Create comprehensive professional development plans for all trainers, teachers, assessors and support staff. Assess current capabilities and identify training needs. Arrange intensive workshops and training sessions on curriculum delivery, assessment methods, compliance processes, instructional skills etc. May be worth conducting your annual appraisals with staff whilst things are quiet.
• Schedule and confirm all quality assurance activities for the year ahead. Mark deadlines for things like standardisation, internal deep dive activities, self-assessment reports, compliance audits, observations etc. Assign responsibility for each task. Book venues and resources where required.
• Host apprentice recruitment and marketing events. Arrange school visits, career fairs, open days etc. Refresh promotional materials showcasing programs and success stories. Engage prospective apprentices and employers through outbound campaigns.
• Review mentor support and training resources based on feedback. Develop strategies to better prepare mentors to provide guidance and support on the job. Update training materials and mentor handbooks as needed. This may be a good time to invest in a new coaching and mentoring programme?
• Conduct a thorough audit of equipment, resources, facilities and other physical assets. Assess condition and suitability. Identify any gaps or things needing replacement. Make purchases and upgrades to set up for the new term.
• Hold team meetings and planning sessions. Review priorities and initiatives for the coming year. Clarify roles and responsibilities. Onboard new staff members. Foster collaboration and alignment across the team for the year ahead.
• Book in external quality review visits. It’s extremely good practice to have a second pair of unbiased eyes look over your provision. This will highlight areas of strengths as well as areas of improvement. Contact me for support with this.

Investing time in focused preparation over the summer will enable apprenticeship providers to deliver higher quality, compliant programs and better support learners and employers in the new academic year.

With over 20 years of experience working in further education, I understand the hard work and dedication it takes for providers to deliver truly outstanding apprenticeship programs. As an independent consultant, I offer my expertise to support providers in maximising the quality and impact of their apprenticeship training. My services include quality reviews, self-assessment and policy reviews, curriculum development, staff training, and more. I have a proven track record of helping providers achieve high standards – including supporting many to attain Ofsted Outstanding. If your organisation needs guidance to take your apprenticeship provision to the next level, please get in touch to learn more about my consulting services. With the right preparation and support over the summer, your team can deliver training that meets the needs of today’s learners and employers.