Business leaders are being invited to a top-level conference organised by Staffordshire University to showcase new apprenticeship standards being introduced to support their needs.
The event, entitled “Revolutionising Skills: Unveiling a New Era in Apprenticeships”, will be held on 9 February at Bet365 Stadium.
The apprenticeship conference represents the culmination of a series of events organised by the University to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week.
During the event, to be held in the Tony Waddington Suite between 9am and 12.30pm, experts will outline the new standards which will benefit employers across multiple sectors.
Also included will be the official launch of the new Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist Level 7 Apprenticeship and outline proposals for other programmes coming soon across sectors including health, business management, digital, education and policing.
Staffordshire University Apprenticeships will be launching the new apprenticeship recruitment service at the conference.
A Welcome and Introduction will be delivered by Maighread Hegarty, Associate Dean of Apprenticeships, and guest speaker will be Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee Chief Executive from University Vocational Awards Council.
Other events being organised by the University during National Apprenticeship Week include an Apprenticeship Fair on 3 February at the Catalyst Gallery and Hall (9am-3pm).
A Business Management Apprenticeship Opportunities Webinar will be held on 7 February (10am-11am).
Katy Chesters, Apprenticeship Business Development Manager, said: “The Apprenticeship conference will allow attendees to hear first hand about the launch of a number of new degree apprenticeships. If you employ apprentices, are interested in employing apprentices or just want to find out more this event is for you.
“My team and I will also be on hand to discuss the apprenticeship recruitment service in more detail. This is a very exciting time for Apprenticeships at Staffordshire University and we have big plans to grow our provision to support employers with their workforce planning.”
Staffordshire University has just secured more than £974,000 funding from The Office for Students (OfS) for the 2023-24 and 2024-25 years, in a funding competition to boost opportunities within degree apprenticeships.
The grant was made out of a total £12 million pot available to higher education providers in the first wave of funding and it represents the second highest allocation.
Staffordshire University Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Professor Martin Jones said: “We welcome the announcement of funding by the OfS which recognises our ambitions for growth.”
The new funding will enable the next phase of apprenticeship development which includes:
- Nursing and allied health roles contributing to the 15-year NHS workplace development plan.
- Refreshing engineering degree apprenticeships to meet the demands of industry.
- Accelerated degree apprenticeships, recognising prior learning and experience, to support career progression and improve engagement with SMEs.
- Extending the current digital apprenticeship portfolio to respond to current and emerging industry trends.
- Actively promoting participation by apprentices and employer partners from categories currently under-represented on degree apprenticeships.
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Kevin Hetherington added: “We are one of the largest providers of degree apprenticeships in the country and work-integrated learning is central to the University’s aim to deliver a next generation education for our students and to help to grow the economy.”
