The document discusses the benefits of apprenticeships for an IT department. It notes that the university pays over £1 million annually from the apprenticeship levy. The university currently employs 34 apprentices in roles from level 2 to level 7, including 2 ICT apprentices. The apprentices benefit the wider IT support team through sharing knowledge and providing new perspectives, while also receiving training and mentorship from experienced staff. Apprenticeships provide opportunities for both new entry-level hires as well as upskilling existing employees through higher-level programs.

1. The benefits of
apprenticeships to
an IT department
Abbie McGregor,
University of Sheffield

2. >Faculty IT Manager (Arts and Humanities)
>Business Relationship Management
>Line Management of an operational IT Support Team
>New position created last year
>Review of IT Support in the faculty
Introduction

3. >Apprenticeship Levy – April 2017
>Paid by companies with pay bill in excess of £3 million
>Sheffield University pays £1.3 million a year
>The government tops it up by 10%
Apprenticeships Facts and Figures

4. >Frameworks more qualification focused
>Standards are being developed to replace the old
frameworks
>Standards are more focused on the skills employers
need
Apprenticeship Frameworks and Standards

5. >Senior Champions within the organization
>Email from our Vice President for Education and our
Director of HR during National Apprenticeship Week:
>“As a major employer in the city and region, we value
the contribution apprenticeships make to maintaining a
unified, diverse and gifted staff body. Following recent
changes to the way apprenticeships operate, we want
to diversify and increase the number of apprentices we
employ.”
Quote

6. Context
National Apprenticeship Week 5 – 9 March 2018

7. >Employ 34 Apprentices under the levy
>These range from level 2 to level 7 (Masters)
>We work with 5 training providers
>2 ICT Apprentices
Sheffield University Apprenticeships

8. >Level 3 Diploma in ICT Professional Competence
>Level 3 Certificate in ICT Systems and Principles
>Sheffield College
>Both employed on an open ended contract
Our ICT Apprentices

9. Faculty IT Support Team
Faculty IT and
Business
Relationship
Manager
Grade 6 IT Officer
Languages
Specialism
Grade 7 Theatre
and Productions
Manager
Grade 4 IT Officer
Theatre Specialism
Grade 7 Learning
Technologist and
Team Leader
Grade 4 IT Support
Officer
Grade 4 IT Support
Officer
Apprentice IT
Support Officer
Grade 6 IT Officer
Music Specialism

10. >Line management/mentoring
>Benefitting from the Apprentice’s knowledge
>Quotes from team members:
>“It makes me think about how I do things”
>“It’s rewarding having someone to show the way”
>“It makes me think about how I collaborate in the team”
Opportunities for the team

11. Conor – Apprentice ICT Support Officer

12. >Not just entry level - Level 2 – Level 7 (Masters)
>There is now a big focus on existing staff and
development.
>Learning Technologist Masters in Education
>20% off the job training can be an issue
>Staff retention
Higher Level Apprenticeships

13. >Apprenticeship project group established in 2016
>Manager’s Toolkit
>Dedicated webpages and FAQs
>Local HR reps
Support

14. Investment in a person

15. >Apprenticeship Levy
>Institute for Apprenticeships
>Frameworks vs Standards
>Frameworks Library
>Standards
>University of Sheffield Manager’s Toolkit
>University of Sheffield Apprenticeships Website
Useful Links

16. Abbie McGregor
Faculty IT Manager (Arts and Humanities)
a.mcgregor@Sheffield.ac.uk
I have been…
The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, S10 2TN
T 0114 222 1177
www.sheffield.ac.uk

17. Any questions? /
Thank you