Offering degree apprenticeships

Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network (GMLPN) is a small business with just six employees and committed to developing its staff to progress and develop. We recruit apprentices and provide work placement opportunities where possible.

Our degree apprentice, Charlotte Jones, currently studying a Chartered Manager Fast-Track Degree Apprenticeship, was recruited in 2015 as a Level 3 Business Administration Apprentice. She completed this successfully and clearly showed potential, so we supported her to progress to a Level 5 in Leadership and Management, again very successfully. Throughout this journey, Charlotte’s contribution to our small business has escalated. 

In 2020, we jointly considered the next steps for Charlotte’s development as she is playing an increasing role in the strategy and higher-level operational activity of the organisation.

The Chartered Manager Fast-Track Degree Apprenticeship offered by Manchester Met seemed to be the best way to go. The curriculum and modules are an excellent fit with our business, but can clearly be adapted to many types and sizes of organisations.

Importantly, the GMLPN Board were and are supportive and the outputs from the programme will be directly relevant to inform the Board moving forward. 

Impact of degree apprenticeships at GMLPN

Charlotte has already made a significant impact, producing useful analysis and recommendations for future operation and elements of strategy.

Working with Manchester Met

We conferred closely with the University for advice and guidance, to ensure we were choosing the best course. We wanted something that was very thorough and demanding to ensure Charlotte would be on the right level and course for her. Manchester Met has been supportive in getting the funding in place and have a dedicated bulletin with a wealth of resource and information available. Over the pandemic, the majority of resources are centred around mental health and wellbeing support. 

I have also joined the Employer Board for Degree Apprenticeships at Manchester Met which allows us to capitalise on all that is offered. We’ve found that the team are very open to feedback, suggestions and continuous development of the experience for students, taking into account their employment situation and demands of their job.

As a small employer, we feel catered for and it’s good for Charlotte and us to interact with other larger employers and get fresh ideas.

Using degree apprenticeships to train, retain and achieve

At GMLPN, talent management and developing younger members of a small team for the future are key drivers for investing in Degree Apprenticeships; presenting opportunities for continued development and progression and our investment means we retain good staff.

Charlotte has progressed through Level 3 and Level 5 apprenticeships and has demonstrated commitment to study further through a degree apprenticeship this will stand her in good stead for further career progression. 

Recommending degree apprenticeships at Manchester Met

The process to gather information on options and determine the best programme for the company and for Charlotte was very reassuring and efficient as well as thorough. 

The programme itself is adaptable to all types of employers and as we are a small business that was important for us. Equally, Charlotte gets to network and study alongside employees from larger companies, which is very valuable. 

The first module of the Chartered Manager Fast-Track Degree Apprenticeship programme focuses on organisational strategy and has resulted in Charlotte providing a really good reflection on our current practice with sound ideas for our Board to consider in the future, backed up by theory and practically applied. 

Communication between Manchester Met and myself as an employer is very good as Charlotte keeps me in the loop but more importantly so does the University.