University of Westminster Apprenticeships’ Post

Benjamin is in his second year of our T Level in Laboratory Sciences course! After finishing his course, he’s considering either working in a lab or pursuing a higher apprenticeship to continue developing his skills. Speaking about his T Level, he said: "My favourite part has been the lab practicals and my placement at the Earlham Institute, where I gained valuable experience handling and processing plant samples and analysing them." 👀 Interested in finding out more? Visit https://lnkd.in/eARPuYeq #TLevelsWeek

FRAMING PH.D. STUDIES If you study towards a Ph.D. in order to pursue an academic career afterwards => Then, consider your Ph.D. studies as an APPRENTICESHIP and as the FIRST FIVE YEARS OF YOUR ASSISTANT PROFESSORSHIP. Why? 1.     You have five years more to build that research portfolio that you need for the tenure process at the end of the assistant professorship.   Having those extra years is worth a ton. Research projects might take between a year up to 10 years (if not more) from having the research idea to seeing a published article.   2.     As an apprentice, you do not just want to learn about a domain. Instead, as an apprentice you want to also learn HOW TO WORK in a domain. Much tacit stuff that is worth paying attention to. Important points include: (1) the art of collecting data, (2) the diligence in treating these data, (3) the insight that good writing is as important as good research, (4) the relationships to peers and professors, and (5) the importance of regularly coming to work.   Overall, the apprenticeship frame clarifies the purpose of Ph.D. studies. On one hand, it tells you to BE CURIOUS because apprenticeship is a period of learning. On the other hand, it tells that YOUR LEARNING HAS AN IMPACT on your future.

For all who are passionate about vocational education and training, and those who are intrigued by the Swiss model, here is an article that I wrote to introduce the Swiss apprenticeship system: https://lnkd.in/dscUaxuU

Would you enrol in David Beckham Studies? You might have had to read that twice, but yes, at one point, Staffordshire University offered such a module to choose from. Now, I know that's an extreme example, but it highlights a broader concern: the prevalence of 'Mickey Mouse Degrees' in higher education. These are phoney degrees that hold little real-world value. Many jobs today don't even require a degree, let alone one in niche subjects like the 'History of Art' (and let's not forget about the mountain of debt that often accompanies graduation). The value of traditional university degrees seems to be diluted in the modern era, lacking the prestige they once held. While certain fields like medicine still necessitate a university education, the demand for traditional degrees is diminishing. In fact, the first cohort of Doctor apprenticeships is set to commence in September 2024. When considering your career path, it's crucial to understand what employers truly value. And right now, experience is king. So why not kill two birds with one stone? An apprenticeship not only provides invaluable real-world experience but also propels you ahead of the competition in your desired field. At the end of the day, why not be on the safe side? Embrace the power of apprenticeships to secure a brighter future. #Apprenticeships #CareerDevelopment #FutureOfWork

The Idea of the Day: Neurodiversity 101 🧠 Is it time to rethink extra time in exams? 🤔 Dispelling the myths around equity in assessments. From schools to universities, timed exams remain a prevalent method of gauging student knowledge and skills. All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others…. No equity in assessments. We have exams in school, in colleges, in apprenticeships, in universities, and in many professional parts of our lives. Formal, timed, written, closed book examinations remain the commonest method of educational assessment that many educational settings employ to gauge a student’s level of subject based knowledge, ability and skills following a course of study.#Neurodiversity #Assessment #Education

## VET in Germany vs. Polytechnic Focus: VET in Germany:Offers highly specialized vocational training in a specific trade or skill. Focuses on practical, hands-on learning through apprenticeships with companies. Polytechnic:Provides broader technical training in various engineering, computer science, and applied science fields. Offers a mix of theoretical and practical learning. Duration: VET in Germany:Typically lasts 2-3 years through an apprenticeship program. Polytechnic:Generally takes 3 years to complete a diploma program. Career Path: VET in Germany:Prepares you to directly enter the workforce in your chosen skilled trade. Many apprenticeships lead to permanent positions. Polytechnic:Graduates can enter the workforce in various technical fields or pursue further education for advanced degrees. Education Style: VET in Germany:Highly practical with a strong emphasis on on-the-job learning and mentorship from experienced professionals. Polytechnic:Offers a balance of theoretical knowledge and practical skills development through classroom learning and lab work. Consider your interests and career goals. Both options are generally more affordable than university degrees. VET programs are often geographically specific, while Polytechnics may have wider program availability. Both VET and Polytechnics offer valuable pathways to successful careers. Research specific programs and talk to professionals in your field to make an informed decision. #naan Mudhalvan #tnsdc #Nsdc #VET

Choosing to get a PhD does not mean committing to a career in academia. You aren't breaking any promises by considering a variety of career paths. But I can see how it would feel that way. I had the opportunity to participate in a careers panel yesterday at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, and we had a wonderful and wide-ranging discussion about careers for PhDs. A key observation that came out of our conversation was that PhD students do recognize that there are multiple career paths, but feel that they’ve already picked one. They have chosen and committed to a career in academia by enrolling in a PhD program. This makes sense. After all, academia is built on an apprenticeship model. The key components of an apprenticeship are direct business involvement (PhD programs are designed and run by universities), on-the-job training (students have an expert mentor to train them), related instruction (students complete coursework), rewards for skill gains (this one is iffy, but there’s often a stipend bump when students reach candidacy), and completion resulting in a national occupation credential (a PhD!). The only problem is that apprenticeship is supposed to prepare you for a high-quality, well-paying job that is in demand. Professors are not in demand. Grad programs can’t offer a stable, tenure-track faculty role at the end of a 5+ year apprenticeship, so grad students should not be expected to act as though they are committing to such a role. There is still immense value to be gained in PhD programs, but to fully take advantage of that value, grad students need opportunities to apply their skills to non-academic projects and to receive mentorship from professionals outside the academy. Choosing to get a PhD means committing to an education, not a career. An education that will help you learn, grow, and build valuable skills that you can continue to develop in any career path you choose. Thank you to Evan Block for organizing and to Katelin Krieg, PhD and Mackenzie Sullivan for being fantastic co-panelists! #RecoveringAcademics #LeavingAcademia

Employer Feedback on Degree Apprenticeships Needed Kada Research have recently been commissioned by the University of Essex to complete market research to test national employer demand for the Biomedical Scientist L6 standard and employer demand in the East of England for the Data Scientist L6 standard. This commission will help shape and develop new provision of Degree Apprenticeship programmes, and we need your help. Employer insights would be invaluable! The Kada team, alongside the University of Essex, have designed two surveys for employers which explore whether employers / other organisations currently have apprenticeships, how these are currently working and whether there is demand for or a potential interest in Biomedical Scientist degree apprenticeship or a Data Scientist degree apprenticeship. To help develop your future workforce and make a difference, share your thoughts below: Biomedical Scientist Survey: Degree Apprenticeship Research Survey https://lnkd.in/eCC_8Nbv Data Scientist Survey: Degree Apprenticeship Research - Data Scientist Survey https://lnkd.in/eD6V5TbS Thank you in advance for supporting this research. If you have any questions about the study, please contact sophie@kadaresearch.co.uk We are a Sheffield-based economic development consultancy, providing high quality, independent, incisive, challenging, evidence-based reports and recommendations since 2011. Our principal areas of work are: People, Places and Business. To find out more about Kada Research and the projects we do, visit: https://lnkd.in/dY5r9i4H or get in touch at info@kadaresearch.co.uk #biomedicalscience #apprenticeships #survey #employerinsights #datascience

NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY…. The national educational policy has launched a new programe for teachers that is Integrated Teachers Education programme( ITEP) in 2023-2024. It is a four year integrated course for the students who want to upgrade their career in teaching as well as their holistic development. It prepares the students to became teachers to teach foundational, preparatory, middle and secondary stages of education. This programme offers: Pedagogies, foundation in ICT,Inclusive education and furthermore… There were many internships in this four year integrated course which gives the practical knowledge about different subjects as well as it will teach how to tackle students of different classes, school curriculum, management skills and many more… In last it a best opportunity to grab who wants to upgrade their career as a teacher.

Science Apprenticeship Events for NAW2025 We are pleased to announce in partnership with OxLEP Skills Hub, Lumi & Lumiere, Milton Park (Oxfordshire) and BioEscalator, we are running TWO free events in national apprenticeship week in the Oxford area to help raise awareness of the possibilities in Science for using Apprenticeships. These events will be taking place on the Wednesday at the BioEscalator and Thursday at Milton Park. It will be a great chance to network with others in Science, meet Apprentices, ask questions and hear from global experts on everything from EDI, innovative program design and funding, including accessing Levy Transfer provided by local Education Institutions to enable fully funded training costs. If you've ever wondered about having apprentices or already have them and want to see if you can develop your programs further this is the event for you. If you're interested in attending please comment below or let us know. It's set to be a great couple of days. Science is the future, but what is the future of Science? #NAW2025 #STEM #Apprenticeships #Science