Webinar: Supporting Apprentices To Complete Work-Based Projects When Working Remotely, with panellist Dr Paula Nottingham

This event was hosted on 15th June 2020 by the Society for Education and Training.

During the coronavirus pandemic, learning providers and employers have been encouraged to support apprentices to continue with their training programmes, where it has been possible to do so. A large number of apprentices have continued their learning, even if they were required to self-isolate or their workplace closed temporarily. Learning providers switched to, or intensified, e-learning and apprentices have continued their training remotely as far as it has been practicable.

One aspect of training that has been significantly impacted by the new arrangements is work-based projects. A work-based project is a significantly large, and assessed,component of many apprenticeship programmes leading to qualifications at levels 3-7. This webinar is addressed to professionals (lecturers, tutors, trainers, mentors and line managers) who support apprentices to complete training programmes at levels 3 to 6, and it explores how apprentices can be assisted to carry out a work-based project when working remotely. More specifically, the webinar looks at:

  • Recent changes in apprenticeship provision as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
  • The different requirements and types of work-based projects in apprenticeships (levels 3 to 6).
  • The limitations and opportunities apprentices are faced with when completing a work-based project remotely.
  • How professionals can minimise disruption and ensure continuity.
  • Essential support elements (for example, documentation, encouragement, communication).

The webinar, hosted by Dr Stavroula Bibila, gives practitioners the opportunity to watch/listen to an engaging 15-minute panel discussion, during which two/three widely acclaimed work-based learning experts share their views on the topic.

Resources available to download once registered for the webinar, include:

  • Tips for supporting apprentices complete work-based projects whilst working remotely.
  • Comparative table listing the different requirements and types of work-based projects in apprenticeships (levels 3 to 6).
  • Practical exercises for supporting apprentices complete work-based projects whilst working remotely.
  • List of recommended reading.
  • CPD certificate for taking part in the live event.

Host

Copy Of Stavroula Bibila 002Dr Stavroula Bibila is a senior lecturer on degree apprenticeship programmes at the University of Wolverhampton. She was one of the first 23 practitioners to be awarded Advanced Teacher Status (ATS) in 2018 and she is a member of the Practitioner Advisory Group (PAG) to the Society for Education and Training (SET) board.

Following a teaching career in Further Education and Adult Learning, her research interests now include curriculum development in technical and professional education. She was previously a visiting researcher at the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP) and a postdoctoral research fellow at the National School for Healthcare Science. 

Guest host

Dr Chinny 1Dr Chinny Nzekwe-Excel is an Academic Lead and Research expert in the broad areas of Operations & Business Management Research, and Teaching & Learning Innovations, a Statistics Expert, a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, UK and a Leadership and Management Professional.

Chinny manages, leads and delivers Leadership & Business Management Development Programmes in the UK and overseas (Europe, Asia & Africa) to MBA & DBA students and to the University Collaborative Partners. Subsequently, Chinny contributes in several academic network and development initiatives.

Using robust IT & business techniques, she successfully developed an integrated tool for monitoring and evaluating the delivery of projects, by assessing satisfaction levels of members of a project team in different stages of the project lifecycle. Following publications of the concepts of her tool, she received the Emerald Literati Networks Awards for Excellence 2013.

Expert Panel Discussion Members

Paula Nottingham is a Degree Apprenticeship Programme Leader and work-based practitioner/researcher at Middlesex University. She is a co-convenor of the UALL Work and Learning Network and is active in promoting work-based pedagogy. Paula is a Co-Guest Editor (with Debbie Scott) for an upcoming ‘Creativity in Work-Applied Management’ issue of the Journal of Work-Applied Management Management and has Co-Authored (with Stavroula Bibila) two new chapters about work-based projects in the third edition of Palgrave’s The Work-Based Learning Student Handbook. Please contact her on p.nottingham@mdx.ac.uk with any questions or to share practice about work-based projects.

Professor Tony Wall is Founder and Head of the International Centre for Thriving, a global scale collaboration between business, arts, health, and education to deliver sustainable transformation. He is an Advance-HE National Teaching Fellow and Editor in Chief for the Journal of Work-Applied Management and Higher Education and Work-based Learning journal. 

Ann Minton is Associate Professor in Work-Based Learning at the University of Derby, with specific responsibility for apprenticeship development. For the last twenty years, Ann has been involved in developing bespoke and innovative education solutions for a range of businesses and organisations to meet their higher educational needs. Ann is an enthusiastic advocate of work based learning, largely due to her own experience of learning for personal and professional development. She is happy to answer any question that you may have: a.m.minton@derby.ac.uk  or @annimint.