Building bridges: using employer boards to develop innovative apprenticeship provision.
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Information about the school/provider
Gower College Swansea works in partnership with seven subcontractors to deliver apprenticeship programmes at levels 2 to 5 across Wales. Approximately 85% of its apprenticeship provision is delivered directly by the college with the remaining 15% delivered through its subcontractor network. Apprenticeship provision has grown substantially since 2016, from around 250 learners to approximately 3,000 in 2022-2023. Delivering 82 different apprenticeship routes/levels to over 1,200 employers, the college also works in partnership with Swansea University and Cardiff University to co-deliver degree apprenticeships.
Context and background to the effective or innovative practice
In 2017, Gower College Swansea created a strategy to enhance collaboration with employers. To stay ahead of constantly evolving skills needs and to ensure that employer demands were understood, the college created eight employer boards – resulting in the co-creation of provision.
Description of nature of strategy or activity
The first employer board focussed on digital specialisms. As companies were increasing their investment in technologies, a growing digital skills gap was emerging. Representatives from prestigious local and national companies joined the board. The board’s aim was to review the college’s existing provision offer, discuss what else was needed, and forecast future skills requirements. “Gower College Swansea is working with experts in the IT industry and at the cutting edge of emerging technology innovation to develop and deliver apprenticeships that work for today and future proof the workforce of tomorrow.” Board member and CEO of a tech startup and scale up business.
New employer boards were subsequently developed in other key sectors such as creative industries. “Made up of over 30 employers from across South Wales, the board seeks to actively combine industry experience with a forward-thinking curriculum which can really help to shape the creative talent of the future.” Board chair and founder of a digital design agency.
In 2021, the college launched Sketty Hall Business School. This led to the creation of its advisory board, which is made up of key industry figures from local, regional and international organisations. A key aim of this board is to develop employer approved provision to support economic development. Importantly, this board has individual representation across every regional and national key sector.
What impact has this work had on provision and learners’ standards?
The digital board quickly led to the creation of six new apprenticeship frameworks including cyber security & data analytics, which were not all previously available in the region. “These programmes have been developed in collaboration with the college’s employer advisory board to ensure their currency and relevance, providing learners with significant employment and progression opportunities.” Board chair. Since the board’s inception, the college has supported 592 digital apprentices and 273 employers.
The creative industries board led to a partnership with an award-winning Welsh animation company leading to the creation of a specialist animation academy. Individuals can undertake a Level 4/5 higher apprenticeship in screen and creative media, then go on work placements in one of Wales’ leading studios. This initiative is the world’s first apprenticeship centred on Blender (an open-source 3D computer graphics software tool).
How have you shared your good practice?
Gower College Swansea has secured eight UK apprenticeship awards in the past five years, which has enabled the sharing of best practice with other work-based learning providers and practitioners across the UK. Locally, due to the success of their digital employer board, at the request of the regional learning and skills partnership (RSLP), the board was merged with the RLSP’s tech cluster, enabling a better understanding of industry requirements across the south west region.