Event report - Apprenticeship Forum: Progression from Advanced Apprenticeships on to Higher level Learning

The event began with a warm welcome from Andrew Jones, Director of Linking London, and a brief overview of Linking London’s work in this space and highlighting some of the resources and support available. All our resources can be found on our Partner Area.

We heard from our first speaker, Pete Milsom, Apprenticeship Partnerships Manager at UCAS who provided an overview of Apprenticeship developments at UCAS including an update on the introduction of the UCAS Tariff for Level 3 / Advanced Apprenticeships, positioning apprenticeships on a more equal footing with academic routes and aiming to increase awareness and access to higher education.

Delegates then heard from two partners who gave their perspectives on progression on to higher level learning from advanced apprenticeships. Hearing first from Sammy Shummo, Group Director of Apprenticeships at London South Bank University who presented on their integrated apprenticeship pathways model from Level 2 -7, designed to allow learners to progress seamlessly into high level learning and how they work with employers to drive progression. We then heard from Becky James, Head of Sales Apprenticeships and Skills at HRUC who presented on the FE college experience including supporting learners from early stages across multiple qualification types, their apprenticeship offer and routes, and the challenges of progression to higher apprenticeships.

This was followed by a group discussion around progression from advanced apprenticeships on to higher level learning, including challenges, opportunities and areas for collaboration between our college and university partners going forward.

The event concluded thanking all participants for their valuable contributions throughout the afternoon.