In this episode, we’re talking about how to select and manage  a training provider. We’re going to guide you through our top tips and key steps to consider when deciding which apprenticeship provider to choose. We’ll also share with you some examples where a flexible approach to apprenticeship has worked really well, so we can help you build a good, long-lasting relationship with your training provider. 

What You’ll Learn: 

- Why you should search for a like-minded training provider that understands your strategy rather than focus solely on the standard that they deliver

- Why you need to prioritise the consistency of learners’ experience if you are running multiple apprenticeships in your organisation

- How to step forward as an empowered employer and determine how an apprenticeship will be delivered

- Which elements of an apprenticeship programme you can negotiate with a training provider  

- A useful tool that can help you manage your apprenticeships

- How to set the right expectations at the beginning of an engagement of a training provider

Maximising your apprenticeship training provider is all about you as the employer taking the lead, being empowered, knowing what good looks like in your organisation, knowing what you want to get out of a programme, and then finding somebody who can help you achieve that. 

Resources: 

- Scopesuite https://www.startswitha.co/project/scopesuite/ 

- Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/ 

- Download our Opportunity Guide https://www.theopportunity.global/theopportunityguide/

- The Opportunity Group Website https://www.theopportunity.global/

- The Opportunity Group LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/theopportunitygroup/ 

- Connect with Michaela Reaney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelareaney

- Connect with Kate Temple-Brown on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-temple-brown 

Today, we are bringing together some of the information that we've been sharing in other episodes, and we’re going to talk about creating a successful apprenticeship. We are going to use the acronym SET that stands for Strategy, Engagement, and Training Provider, in order to help you create the most effective apprenticeship programme for your organisation. 

What You’ll Learn: 

- Why an Apprenticeship programme must link to your wider business goals and strategy

- How to think about Apprenticeships in terms of developing skills and behaviours rather than applying standards 

- Why it’s wise to invest time into engaging line managers and learners before and during an apprenticeship 

- Why it’s important to set engagement rules and expectations for an apprenticeship group

- How to effectively engage senior level managers and leaders in an apprenticeship programme

- How to choose your training provider based on what elements of a programme you can negotiate to the benefit of your organisation and learners 

So, when starting an apprenticeship programme in your organisation, be strategic and start with an end in mind. Spend time in conversations with line managers and learners, as well as with senior managers and leaders. Seek additional value and support from your training provider, and SET yourself up for creating a successful apprenticeship. 

Resources: 

- Episode 021 Open vs Closed Cohorts https://apple.co/3SneYyG 

- Episode 011 Failures: What We Have Learned from Them https://apple.co/3R6g4O4 

- Download our Opportunity Guide https://www.theopportunity.global/theopportunityguide/

- The Opportunity Group Website https://www.theopportunity.global/

- The Opportunity Group LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/theopportunitygroup/ 

- Connect with Michaela Reaney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelareaney

- Connect with Kate Temple-Brown on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-temple-brown 

Today’s episode is dedicated to wellbeing, mental health and the holistic development of apprentices. In the last couple of years, we’ve discovered that the learners rely a lot on the support and guidance from their apprenticeship training provider and their employer throughout the course of their programme. So, how can you better support your apprentices to be resilient and mentally well, and why is it so important? 

What is Covered: 

- The benefits of mental wellness support in an apprenticeship programme

- Why mental health and wellbeing support should be part of the standard apprenticeship package

- How mental health and wellbeing support affects the retention rate of a programme

- How line managers and mentors can benefit from development to support apprentices’ wellbeing  

- How coaching conversations and style can support the holistic development of apprentices 

We strongly believe that an apprenticeship is a holistic intervention that is changing people's lives. Therefore, we empower you to ask for mental health and wellbeing support as part of your apprenticeship delivery, whoever your training provider is.

Resources: 

- Able Futures: Support for Mental Health at Work https://able-futures.co.uk/ 

- Martin Lewis - Money Saving Expert https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ 

- Download our Opportunity Guide https://www.theopportunity.global/theopportunityguide/

- The Opportunity Group Website https://www.theopportunity.global/

- The Opportunity Group LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/theopportunitygroup/ 

- Connect with Michaela Reaney on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelareaney

- Connect with Kate Temple-Brown on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-temple-brown