Devon & Cornwall Training Providers Network (DCTPN) hosted an online round table in partnership with regional provider network leads from Yorkshire and Greater Manchester, working with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to give policy colleagues greater insight into how apprenticeships are delivered and what more can be done to improve retention and successful outcomes.Â
The event brought together employers, training providers and key stakeholders from Devon and Cornwall, Yorkshire and Greater Manchester to share their experiences, explore common challenges and identify examples of good practice that could help more apprentices successfully complete and progress from their programmes.
A clear message from the discussion was that successful apprenticeships begin long before an apprentice’s first day at work. Participants highlighted the importance of good careers information and guidance, realistic expectations, work-readiness preparation, effective line management and ongoing mentoring and support.
The round table also highlighted concerns that some young people enter apprenticeship recruitment processes without being fully prepared for the expectations of the workplace, including communication, confidence, resilience and professional behaviours. Participants felt that greater investment in pre-apprenticeship support and employability provision could help young people make a more successful transition into an apprenticeship.
Read the full DWP Roundtable summary here.
Another strong theme was the important role played by line managers, mentors and effective employer-provider relationships. Regular communication, protected learning time, early intervention and access to trusted mentors were all identified as factors that can make a significant difference to an apprentice’s experience and likelihood of success.
Participants also recognised the particular pressures faced by small and medium-sized employers, which may have limited capacity to provide the level of mentoring, pastoral support and structured development some apprentices need. The discussion highlighted opportunities for stronger provider support, improved collaboration and simpler apprenticeship processes to help employers overcome these challenges
The session provided an important opportunity for DWP policy colleagues to hear directly from those involved in apprenticeship delivery, while enabling partners across the three regions to share learning, challenges and practical solutions.
DCTPN welcomes opportunities such as this to bring policy and practice together, ensuring the experiences of employers, training providers and apprentices are heard and can help inform future thinking. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with DWP and our regional network partners to support high-quality apprenticeships and better outcomes for apprentices and employers.
