Abstract:

Work integrated learning (WIL) is a key component of university apprenticeship degree programmes and its effective implementation supports successful delivery of these programmes. WIL provides the opportunity to connect academic learning with workplace practice and is a vital element of demonstrating appropriate competency.

Reflecting its importance, practice in the authors’ institution is to assign a dedicated Learning Adviser (LA) to support the WIL journey of each apprentice. The LA is a member of university staff with industry experience. They provide tailored guidance aligned with each apprentice’s workplace role and developmental trajectory. LAs are also responsible for feedback and assessment work submitted by their assigned learners.

Although this model offers individualised support, the practice of having multiple members of staff undertaking the LA role provides challenges in ensuring consistency of apprentice experience. These challenges can be acute as many interactions are conducted on a one-to-one basis, and apprentices are employed in diverse organisations with varying responsibilities. It is therefore vital that appropriate documentation, training and internal verification activities are undertaken to ensure consistency of feedback and assessment across the wide variety of interactions involved in WIL.

This paper introduces a structured quality assurance framework designed to standardise feedback and assessment for WIL. This framework has been developed and refined over five years of WIL delivery. It currently supported three technology apprenticeship degrees delivered by the authors’ institution. Over 150 apprentices are currently enrolled across these programmes, supported by five LAs.

These quality assurance strategies have been implemented to ensure all apprentices have a consistent and uniform learning experience working with any one of the team of LAs, while catering for the diverse workplace learning journeys experienced by apprentices on these programmes. The strategies are transferable to WIL in apprenticeship degree programmes in a wide range of disciplines.

Keywords:

Work-Integrated Learning, Apprenticeship Degrees, Quality Assurance.