Tailoring apprenticeship training to learner needs

Information about the setting

The college and its partners serve three local authority areas Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, which have a total population of almost 400,000.  They work in partnership with over 1,100 employers of all sizes across the region, including Airbus and Flintshire County Council. Approximately 1,600 learners complete apprenticeship frameworks each year.

Context and background to sector-leading practice

The provider’s strategic plan aligns provision to the needs of employers, regional economic development and the increase in the number of higher and degree apprenticeships.  Senior leaders have very strong links with employers and key strategic groups.  This enables the provider to develop customised, responsive provision, which meets employer needs and plays a valuable strategic role in the regional economy.

The provider’s strategy was developed to build upon their existing successful arrangements for employer engagement.  The clear aim was to strengthen existing arrangements to make sure that training was closely matched to the individual needs of employers.  The provider’s clearly defined strategy has been developed and strengthened over time.  As a result it is used consistently across the organisation by all staff.

Description of nature of strategy or activity identified as sector-leading practice

An outstanding feature of the provider is its employer engagement.  A key strategic objective of the provider is meeting the current and future individual skills needs of employers under the umbrella of  ‘employer-led learning’.  The provider is an active member of the regional economy and works particularly effectively to engage employers of all types and sizes from micro-businesses to large multinational organisations.  The provider has developed and established long-lasting and highly beneficial partnerships that give greater opportunities for learners and aids economic growth in the region.

The provider’s assessors and tutors work very closely and highly effectively with businesses to develop a clear understanding of their staff training needs. The provider’s staff carefully matches their learners’ individual training needs to tailored additional activities and experiences that further enhance their training experiences.  For example, learners at one company benefit from bespoke robotics training and at another receive additional time for Welsh classes to meet the needs of their business.  In the care sector, learners benefit from additional specialist workshops to support their job roles.

Assessors at Coleg Cambria carry out a very beneficial minimum of two days’ industrial placements per annum to ensure that their professional vocational skills are up-to-date, and that they are familiar with current practices and the latest technology.  This helps them maintain high levels of professional credibility in their sector.

What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?

The provider’s strategy and approach has led to learners developing increased levels of motivation, developing a wider range of skills and knowledge and being trained to a higher standard. Employer satisfaction rates have significantly increased as their individual staff training needs are being closely met.  This strategy and approach have led to an increase in the number of learners and employers taking part in apprenticeship training, particularly across the engineering and manufacturing, leadership and management and health and social care sectors.