• Name Diane Richardson
• Role Principal Lecturer and Apprenticeships Portfolio Leader
• Apprenticeships involved with
  • Associate Project Manager
  • Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship
  • Operations or Departmental Manager
  • Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship
  • Senior Leader
  • Systems Thinking

Describe your Apprenticeship related job role

I have oversight and responsibility for the apprenticeships list above, including strategic leadership and quality management of the apprenticeship provision.

How do Apprenticeships differ to traditional study at University?

Apprentices are funded by the government, through the employer levy, so there are no fees to be paid by the apprentice! Apprenticeships typically have some ‘off-the-job’ learning at University and significant ‘on-the-job’ learning in their workplace. Assessments are aligned with work-based projects. Apprentices achieve a University qualification and complete an end point assessment to achieve their apprenticeship qualification.

Why do you believe more employers should be considering employing an apprentice?

There are enormous benefits to employers, in having an apprentice, who will be studying contemporary and professional body standard content, to bring back and apply in the workplace. Apprenticeships can be tailored to the employer’s sector, to ensure relevance and the employer has the opportunity to work with the University on this. The apprenticeship will support the apprentice’s development and achievement, to up-skill employees.

How does your Apprentice Programme run? (Choose one APP?)

Our Senior Leader Apprenticeship includes the CMI Level 7 Diploma and the University’s Executive MBA. It is 2 years study plus the End Point Assessment. I believe transforms the way students view the ever changing world by developing how they think, lead and deal with uncertainty in these disruptive times.

It is very work focussed with all work aligned to the workplace roles and responsibilities. The SL is ideal for organisations looking to develop aspiring and existing leaders, professionals and strengthen their strategic capabilities.

Course description - Senior Leader

This allows our apprentices to develop and explore professional, academic and personal dimensions of their learning journeys over the course of the apprenticeship

What benefits do you see for the Apprentices that study with you?

The University of Bedfordshire has highly experienced tutors, with a range of academic, industry and research experience, who will enable you to get the most from your apprenticeship. We have strong connections with professional bodies, with apprenticeships accredited and apprentices achieving professional qualifications as part of their programme.

The University has excellent teaching facilities, both physically and virtually, to support blended approaches to learning. Apprentices have access to a state-of-the-art library, with extensive physical and on-line resources and subject specific librarians. There are also student support services, including Careers and Study Skills.

What’s the one piece of advice from your experience that you would pass on to someone applying to an apprenticeship programme now?

Recognise the time commitment required and discuss with your employer to ensure you have their support.

• Name Balal Qayum
• Role Senior Lecturer and Course Coordinator for the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship
• Apprenticeships involved with
  • Associate Project Manager
  • Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship

Describe your Apprenticeship related job role

I am a Unit Coordinator for the Contract and Procurement Management unit on the Associate Project Manager and the Course Coordinator for the Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship.

How do Apprenticeships differ to traditional study at University?

Apprentices experience a unique blend of traditional “off the job” learning covering research-derived and tested models and concepts alongside “on the job” learning within their workplaces. This creates a positive feedback loop where best practice and theory are immediately placed within a real context that both sheds light on and enhances the “on the job” learning within the apprentice’s workplace.

Why do you believe more employers should be considering employing an apprentice?

Apprentices develop their understanding and skills in a comprehensive and rounded manner, they do much more than just absorb training in existing systems and processes but nurture and bring real insight and awareness of professional standards and best practice to their job roles through the experience of the apprenticeship program. Achievement of external professional qualifications and exploration of state-of-the-art research combines with concurrent on-the-job immersion to produce employees with real potential to grow and progress within the organisation.

How does your Apprentice Programme run?

Our Project Manager Degree Apprenticeship runs across four years and combines three distinct and focused streams – a traditional Undergraduate degree in Project Management, a professional qualification from the Association of Project Management and the national Apprenticeship award itself. The Apprenticeship team work with the employers to tailor and target learning in harmony with the existing paradigms and systems that the apprentices will work within during their on-the-job learning.

Course description - Associate Project Manager

This allows our apprentices to develop and explore professional, academic and personal dimensions of their learning journeys over the course of the apprenticeship.

What benefits do you see for the Apprentices that study with you?

The University of Bedfordshire provides a full and comprehensive range of support services and core research-led teaching to allow apprentices develop and progress both professionally and academically, including access to state-of-the-art research in relevant fields through both physical and digital libraries, experienced tutors and lecturers, academic support tutors and a wide range of specialised workshops and drop-in centres.

What’s the one piece of advice from your experience that you would pass on to someone applying to an apprenticeship programme now?

Talk to your employer and relevant individuals (line managers / apprenticeship program directors, etc.) to identify key personal and professional goals and the time, workload management and organisational resources to achieve them.

• Name Ben Torreggiani
• Organisation Luton Council
• Role Digital Learning Development Officer
• Apprenticeship Project Management Apprenticeship Level 4
• Date started September 2019

Describe your Apprenticeship job role or describe how your Apprentice study supports your job role

The apprenticeship study has supported my job role by giving me the tools to assist me to successfully manage and deliver e-learning projects within the Council.

What impact has the Apprenticeship had?

I find myself using the techniques and information learnt during my apprenticeship on a daily basis throughout all my projects.

What have you learnt since starting the Apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship has taught me the foundations of good project management practice. The comprehensive study program has taught me things such as how to manage risk on a project, how to manage stakeholders, how to prepare a project business case and how to manage teams successfully.

Why did you decide on an Apprenticeship study?

I decided on an apprenticeship as a really wanted to develop my project managements skills. The program was offered via my workplace and seemed like a good fit. Also the industry recognised APM project management qualification that you aim to achieve really sold it to me.

In your view, what are the benefits of working and studying at the same time?

Although working and studying at the same time can be challenging I have felt that the apprenticeship has really assisted me in the workplace. Putting into practice what you have learnt via the apprenticeship is really rewarding.

What's the best thing about your Apprenticeship?

Apart from the fact I have found the knowledge gained really useful I have also really enjoyed lectures again as a mature student!

• Name Michelle Everitt
• Organisation University of Bedfordshire
• Role Assistant Director of Student Experience
• Apprenticeship Senior Leader MBA
• Date started February 2020

Describe how your Apprentice study supports your job role

The units on the apprenticeship focus on real life aspects of the work I do. I am responsible for the strategic direction in which Careers & Employability supports students, graduates and the wider university. The course work really supports my knowledge and ability to move the agenda forward.

What impact has the Apprenticeship had?

The apprenticeship has enabled me to plan in a more creative way when priorities change, or existing projects require redeveloping. I feel I can approach problem solving differently in a more innovative way ensuring all resource is used efficiently which is so important in the modern world.

What have you learnt since starting the Apprenticeship?

I have learnt a lot about myself such as the way I approach a challenge , collaborate with stakeholders, and understand why leaders lead the way they do from studying the theory of mindsets. I feel that this continues to have a positive impact on not just my work but also that of my team and the wider organisations strategic direction.

Why did you decide on an Apprenticeship study?

This fits in perfectly with my role, as I am able to study part time. The apprenticeship units are relevant and enable me to use my new skills to consider and impact on real life work challenges

In your view, what are the benefits of working and studying at the same time?

It has enabled me to undertake study. I would not have been able to undertake this apprenticeship if it didn't fit into my work schedule. I am given a day a week to undertake my study. This hasn't affected my work priorities as I am organised which is really important when studying and working.

What's the best thing about your Apprenticeship?

It's perfect especially as the study links well with my role as Assistant Director of Student experience and Head of Careers & Employability and the assignments I have completed directly relate to my real-life working practice . I am really enjoying all that I am learning.

• Name Don Tapfumaneyi
• Organisation East London Foundation NHS Trust
• Role Deputy Borough Lead Nurse
• Apprenticeship Executive MBA
• Date started February 2020

Describe how your Apprentice study supports your job role

It encourages me to adopt an enhanced level of strategic thinking which gives the opportunity to directly contribute to and influence the development of services that I am aligned to.

It provides me with a forum/platform to network with other leaders outside the organisation and hold meaningful conversations about experiences of leading teams and driving change that I can use to reflect on when thinking about individual and group leadership in my own workplace.

By learning more about leadership theory and understanding my own leadership style, I am able to Inspire a shared purpose within the teams I lead. It has highlighted the similarities within organisations, regardless of the type of business, and helped me to have a more rounded understanding of budgets, funding streams and finance.

What impact has the Apprenticeship had?

It has encouraged me to undertake wider reading of management and leadership literature and supported me to put concepts into practice.

I’ve been able to shadow Executive members of the Organisation in order to observe their management style. I’ve been able to understand the relationship between my leadership performance and how it impacts on the teams.

What have you learnt since starting the Apprenticeship?

I've learnt about the challenges and opportunities associated with the concept of creativity, innovation and change management. I'm able to identify and reflect on the use of a range of theoretical perspectives to recognise and develop my own personal leadership style.

Understanding the true value of peer support outside the "classroom" environment has been one of my biggest lessons so far. Engaging in open and honest discussions and having a safe and respectful forum to do so has certainly enriched my learning experience and helped me to reflect, self-appraise and appreciate the value of diverse thinking and action.

Why did you decide on an Apprenticeship study?

What attracted me was the opportunity to gain some nationally recognised qualifications while earning. By equipping me with essential skills and qualifications needed to progress it's clear that doors are opened to a wealth of career opportunities.

An Apprenticeship is a route available that is immensely supportive to the achievement of your "next step" by allowing you to maintain comfortable home-work balance. Ultimately, it contributes towards getting you where you want to be in the future in a way that causes minimal disruption to your everyday life.

In your view, what are the benefits of working and studying at the same time?

It's exciting to be part of a professional forum external to the workplace and be able to take ideas and learning from one group and implement them directly into another.

What's the best thing about your Apprenticeship?

It's an invaluable opportunity to meet people from different working environments and personal backgrounds as it gives such a rich depth of exposure to alternative thinking and concepts which really encourages a broader scope of learning, discussion, and debate which I enjoy.

It's also been a great way to get back into education and meet new people.

• Name Claire Ellis
• Organisation Ingram Micro UK
• Role Cisco Operations Product Manager
• Apprenticeship Project Management
• Date started 21/02/2020

Describe how your Apprentice study supports your job role

As I work for Ingram Micro, the largest distributor of I.T products in the U.K, the way in which we work and deliver services to our customers is constantly changing with new technological advancements.

I am therefore regularly involved in global strategic projects. The course that the University of Bedfordshire provides supports both the academic and practical elements of project management.

What impact has the Apprenticeship had?

My confidence has grown due to the knowledge I have obtained during the course. I have a better understanding of how successful project management processes and planning can assist with project management delivery. This has and will continue to impact projects I work on.

What have you learnt since starting the Apprenticeship?

I have had the opportunity to learn project management theory and how it can be applied to a “real-life” situation. I also have learnt about aspects of project management which I would not normally have direct involvement with.

Why did you decide on an Apprenticeship study?

I felt in order to execute a project well, I would need to obtain a better understanding of a project life-cycle and processes end-to-end. I therefore felt an immersive apprenticeship would be the best way to do this.

In your view, what are the benefits of working and studying at the same time?

The benefits of working and studying at the same time are that you can apply theory and learning into a real, working environment. It also means that you have the potential to bring new ideas and implement new processes to the workplace.

What's the best thing about your Apprenticeship?

The apprenticeship has been great! It has given me the opportunity to have discussions with like-minded individuals from different backgrounds and learn from their experiences. We have been able to draw from experience and enhance existing knowledge and processes.

• Name Georgia Jeycock
• Organisation Luton Borough Council
• Role Project Manager
• Apprenticeship Project Management
• Date started November 2019

Describe your Apprenticeship job role or describe how your Apprentice study supports your job role

I started my Project Management role with Luton Borough Council 6 months after starting my Apprenticeship, meaning that I was able to put in to practice what I had learnt in order to make me feel more settled and confident in my new role.

I have since been able to gain valuable experience of applying theories and project management tools that I have learnt throughout my Apprenticeship to help me be a more successful Project Manager.

What impact has the Apprenticeship had?

This Apprenticeship has helped me learn how to be an effective Project Manager to deliver positive outcomes that can deliver a change. All of the modules within this Apprenticeship are very informative and allow you to learn various tools and theories that you can apply within the workplace.

This Apprenticeship has had a very positive impact on my career within Luton Borough Council and will help me to continue to grow.

What have you learnt since starting the Apprenticeship?

I have learnt various tools, techniques and theories throughout this Apprenticeship and also financial equations that help me to budget my projects effectively.

I have also learnt how to manage my time more effectively, as I have had to manage a full time job whilst also completing this Apprenticeship part time.

Why did you decide on an Apprenticeship study?

I decided on an Apprenticeship study, as I have previously completed an Apprenticeship with Luton Borough Council where I had such a positive experience, I was excited to apply for this Apprenticeship aswell.

I also knew that I always wanted to become a Project Manager, so when I saw this Apprenticeship come up I knew I had to apply in order to help me achieve the next stage within my career.

Apprenticeships are a great way of learning on the job and receiving the support in order to help you achieve this.

In your view, what are the benefits of working and studying at the same time?

Although this can be difficult at times to juggle the two, there are benefits in that you are not alone! Some of my colleagues on the Apprenticeship are also from the Council and are in the same position, so you can work together and support eachother to ensure that you do not fall behind.

It also allows you to put into practice what you learn during your lectures and to gain first hand experience that you can apply once the Apprenticeship is complete.

What's the best thing about your Apprenticeship?

The best thing about my Apprenticeship is that I am always learning new things that I am able to apply directly into my current job role! I really feel that Apprenticeships are a great way of learning whilst in the workplace and my Manager has been fantastic in supporting me to complete this!