Approaches to Employer
Engagement
A Partnership Approach to
Employer Engagement
A Partnership Approach
to Employer Engagement
Helen Dewhurst, Leap Ahead Lifelong
Learning Network for Derbyshire and
Nottinghamshire
Partnership
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fdf
Employers – TUI UK, BIA and over 50 others
8 (5) HEIs
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Bedfordshire University
University College Birmingham
University of Brighton
Coventry University
University of Derby
University of Greenwich (Orpington College)
University of Sunderland
University of Wolverhampton
4 LLNs
Other HEIs - ULCC
The SSC, People 1st
ABTA, ITT, Tourism Society
Product
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National product: FdA Travel Operations
Management. Pilot 60 learners, full launch
March 09.
Collaboration on development and delivery
Development: curriculum design,
materials, platform
Delivery: common documentation,
admissions, management and reform of
processes (APEL) – efficiency and
transparency
Further funding bids
Platform
Achieving sustainable employer
responsive HE through partnerships
Why?
Challenges
• Sector wide product
• Trust “… collaboration in
• Resource efficiencies
• Transparent HE offer to
business
• Networking gains
• Pooling of specialisms
• Innovation
curriculum development
involves working with friends
while cavorting with the
enemy!” (Weaver et al,
1987:2)
• QA
• Competition v partnership
• “We can do that” v reality
• Timescales
• Group work!
• Resources
• Culture change
Does it/should it look like this?
Learner
Employer
Provider
Bibliography
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Foskett, R. (2005) Collaborative partnership between HE
and employers: a study of workforce development. Journal
of Further and Higher Education. 29(3): 251-264.
Harvey, M. (2007) “The changing power balance between
learners, universities and work contexts”. 28-35. IN D.
Young and J. Garnett (2007) Work Based Learning Futures.
Proceedings from the Work Based Learning Conference,
Buxton, April.
HEFCE (2008) “Quality assurance and employer
engagement in HE learning”. Bristol: HEFCE. September.
Weaver, R.A., Coester, R.J. and McInosh, D. (1987)
Collaboration in curriculum development: a case study.
Paper presented at the Annual Conference of the American
Educational Research Association, Washington DC.
Approaches to Employer
Engagement
A Partnership Approach to
Employer Engagement