Employer Forums on Degree Apprenticeship programmes: facilitating stakeholder engagement and learning

Success in apprenticeship programmes is a collective endeavour. This paper presents an initiative which supports work-based mentors working alongside The Open University on the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA). Through a regular programme of online meetings – which we term ‘Employer Forums’ – we provide work-based mentors with a community of practice to share and develop knowledge together. Feedback gathered from the nearly 200 mentors who have attended sessions to date confirm that they value the opportunity to attend and contribute. Attendance benefits carry over into the tripartite relationship between apprentice, workplace mentor and HEI Tutor, furthering confidence, and effective working relationships.