The Higher Education Employer Trailblazer Consortium was established in April 2016 to create apprenticeship routes for those working in higher education, co-chaired by the University of Chichester and Staffordshire University. The initiative has garnered significant interest, now including over 100 universities and professional organizations, and is focused on developing flexible training provisions for academic and professional staff. The consortium is also exploring additional apprenticeship standards across various levels and fields while facing challenges such as stakeholder engagement and defining unique standards.

1. HE Employer Trailblazer
Gilmar Queiros
Universities UK | The voice of universities

2. The HE Trailblazer consortium
» Agroup of HEIs and professional organisations came together inApril 2016 to
develop apprenticeship routes for those employed within Higher Education.
» The consortium is co-chaired by the University of Chichester (previously
Southampton Solent University) and Staffordshire University.
» Aimed to develop flexible provision which will meet the training needs of the
sector:
» Academic Professional
» HE Professional
» Sector wide interest has been high and the consortium has grown to include
100+ universities, private providers, mission groups and sector bodies.
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3. HE Employer Trailblazer consortium
members
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4. HE Employer Trailblazer Consortium
supporting organisations
4Universities UK | The voice of universities
Association of Heads of
University Administration
(AHUA)
Higher Education Academy
(HEA)
Universities UK
Association of Research
Managers and Administrators
(ARMA)
Higher Education Funding
Council for England (HEFCE)
University Alliance
Association of Colleges Higher Education Strategic
Planners Association
(HESPA)
University Vocational Awards
Council (UVAC)
Association of University
Administrators (AUA)
Leadership Foundation for
Higher Education
Vitae
British Universities Finance
Directors Group (BUFDG)
Staff Development Forum Yorkshire Universities
Committee of University
Chairs
The Russell Group
GuildHE Universities and Colleges
Employers Association
(UCEA)

5. HE Employer Trailblazer Consortium
Members
5Universities UK | The voice of universities

6. Academic Professional apprenticeship
standard
» The standard:
» Level 7 degree apprenticeship
» Aimed to coverAcademic Professionals within Teaching and/or Research
» TheAcademic Professional standard aims to build on the existing UK
professional standards and researcher frameworks.
» It will offer an opportunity for providers to develop their newly appointed
academic professionals using a postgraduate certificate or diploma.
» Professional bodies recognition: HEA, Vitae and SEDA
» Latest standard submission: 27th April, 2017
» Assessment plan provisional submission date: 25th May, 2017
6Universities UK | The voice of universities

7. HE Professional apprenticeship standard
» The proposed standard:
» Level 7 degree apprenticeship
» Aimed to cover HE Professionals in the following occupations: HE
Administrators, Research and Funding Manager, and Knowledge Exchange
Professional
» Professional Bodies recognition: AUA,ARMAandAURIL
» Expression of interest provisional submission date: 25th May, 2017
7Universities UK | The voice of universities

8. Additional apprenticeship standards being
explored
» Technician apprenticeship standard
» Level 3
» Core + Options standard
» Science
» Medicine
» Engineering
» Arts & Humanities
» Level 8 apprenticeship standard (future development)
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9. Trailblazer Challenges
» Trailblazer structure (depending on size)
» Engaging with all stakeholders involved
» Integrating interest groups
» How the definition of employer is cast
» Stablishing the ‘uniqueness’ and ‘distinctiveness’ of the standard and its
occupation
» Thorough consultations
» Bond with Relationship Manager
» Procedural challenges
» Policy and structural challenges
» RESILIENCE AND TENACITY
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10. HE Employer Trailblazer
10Universities UK | The voice of universities
www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/policy-and-analysis/Pages/higher-education-employer-trailblazer.aspx

11. THANK YOU
11Universities UK | The voice of universities