This page was updated on 20/08/2021
We’re sharing brief insights into how work-based learning training providers are supporting their learners and community in response to the difficult circumstances due to COVID-19.
Work-based learning providers deliver apprenticeships in partnership with a wide range of employers as well as traineeship programmes to develop young people’s work-related skills and understanding.
These approaches were written following an engagement call and reflect the situation at that time.
Work-based learning providers may be able to adapt these to their own context.
These insights show how work-based learning providers supported their learners during the pandemic. Find out how they prioritised wellbeing and mental health, used electronic portfolios and met virtually across consortia.
Supporting wellbeing and mental health
Support for learners’ wellbeing and mental health is constant, particularly for those learners on traineeship programmes. One provider has seen a surge in safeguarding referrals and requests for counselling sessions. These are often due to family challenges and other outside influences. Provider staff are in regular contact with their learners and continue to offer counselling services where required. Many learners have little or no access to IT equipment or the internet. Where this is the case, providers have loaned learners laptops or tablet computers and carry out one to one learning sessions by telephone.
Using electronic portfolios
Providers that have been using electronic portfolios for a substantial period of time have been able to use the resources to maintain engagement and activities with their learners. These providers and learners have benefited from being competent and confident in using the available resources and therefore did not lose time undertaking training before their use. As a result, learners have been able to complete work where appropriate, have it marked and returned and complete supplementary activities that will help develop their knowledge and skills.
Daily coffee break
One provider schedules informal daily ‘coffee break’ video staff meetings that allow staff at all levels to engage in ‘relaxed chats’. Managers and staff have welcomed and appreciated the approach that is attempting to give a form of normality to the working day. These interactions give staff the flexibility to discuss work-related and non-related issues in a supportive environment.
Guidance for staff
One provider has develop protocols and guidance for returning to on-site face to face delivery. This booklet is designed to inform and support all staff, including sub-contractors’ staff involved in the recruitment of and delivery to all apprenticeship and traineeship learners. It sets out the provider’s priorities for a fully digital delivery model and high quality teaching, training and learning to support a blended learning approach. The guidance also sets out clear information to ensure that staff have appropriate plans in place to ensure continued learning and progression opportunities.
Reviewing practice across partners
One provider is maintaining regular contact with its sub-contractors by reviewing the support they are giving learners. They also use this engagement to identify where practice may be having a particularly positive impact on their learners. The provider has identified differences in the way sub-contractors are delivering and undertaking assessments remotely where possible. They are planning to establish a development group looking at sharing the use of online teaching and learning materials across a learning area.
Back to business
One provider has developed a series of “Back to Business” virtual meetings for its employers. Each meeting has invited guest speakers, such as the Hair and Barber Council, to give employers industry updates, to talk about salon safety measures and to explain how to deep clean salons ahead of re-opening. These meetings have been well attended by many employers within the industry.
Supporting professional learning
In one provider, a comprehensive programme of professional learning activities has been rolled out to all staff with the focus on blended learning training. The provider has supported this training by using a set of guiding principles for the planning and delivery of teaching, training and assessment. All staff are being trained and updated in the use of digital technology and the online platform. Blended learning resources are being developed and made available on the provider’s intranet.
Consortium virtual meetings
One provider continues to manage and support its consortium partners through a range of virtual meetings. Meetings are held regularly and cover a range of topics including wellbeing, health and safety issues, risk assessment plans for re-opening and staff training requirements for a digital world. The consortium members share their best practice, different approaches and concerns for the future. The provider has developed a common approach to professional learning delivery for all staff, including mandatory technical and pedagogical training.
