Apprenticeships are a centuries-old staple of Britain's vocational education system. In the early 1990s, the government introduced "Modern Apprenticeships" with the aim of "making apprenticeships a mainstream option for the over-16s". In 2015, "Degree Apprenticeships" were introduced in the UK, aiming to extend vocational education to higher education. Enterprises and universities cooperate to offer courses, so that students can get academic recognition, acquire relevant skills and even lock in a job in advance before graduation. This kind of vocational education, which breaks the boundary between academic and skills and links vocational and higher education, is now popular in Britain.

Now, the majority of vocational colleges and students have not returned to school. Comes at a time on 26 February, 2020, the 2020 UK Future Development of Apprenticeships Conference just ended. The Association of Education and Technology teamed up with the Institute of Vocational and Continuing Education of National Institute of Education and Sciences (NIES), China, share with you a large amount of information related to the "Degree Apprenticeship" in the UK and the interpretation of the policy at the first time.

Agenda

Theme 1: The Interpretation of UK Degree Apprenticeships Policy

Opening Speaker 

Sun Cheng

Sun Cheng Professor and Director of IVCE, obtained her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree of Education from Shiga University, Japan as well as her doctor’s degree of Management from Shanghai Jiaotong University. She mainly engages in vocational education and human resource development, covering higher education, adult education and Japanese education. 

Jodie Qiao

      Jodie Qiao is the China Market Business Adviser - Education at China-Britain Business Council

Sabrina Wu

Sabrina is the Founder & CEO of First Landing Education and Executive Chairwoman of The Association of Education and Technology. As the former COO for a U.S. Nasdaq listed Educational Group in China, Sabrina has been committed to the international education business for over 20 years. 

Guest Speakers 

Jonathan Ledger

Jonathan is the global TVET Specialist for the UK Government’s Department for International Trade Education Team, a key member of the UK Skills Partnership and CEO of Global Skills Ledger Ltd. 

        Prof.Geoff Hayward

Geoff Hayward is Professor of Education and Former Head of the Faculty of Education in University of Cambridge. His research interests include vocational education and training policy and practice; social disadvantage and education; transitions into Higher Education and the labour market; learning transfer.

Comments

Caichen Lu

Doctor of Education

Researcher of Institute of Vocational and Continuing Education

Theme 2  The Implementation of UK Degree Apprenticeships Policy

Jonathan Ledger

Jonathan is the global TVET Specialist for the UK Government’s Department for International Trade Education Team, a key member of the UK Skills Partnership and CEO of Global Skills Ledger Ltd. 

Liz Grob

Liz Gorb is Director of Apprenticeships at Manchester Metropolitan University. Liz is currently leading on the development of Degree and Masters Apprenticeships across the University. 

Aidan Friend

Aidan Friend is Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Coventry University - with a focus on Strategic Developments. Aidan is also an experienced consultant, manager, facilitator and coach. 

Kerry McGreavy

Kerry McGreavy is Head of Apprenticeships at Coventry University, specialising in higher and degree level apprenticeships across key sectors including healthcare, construction and engineering, delivering value, innovation and flexibility to the clients.

Comments 

    Xianhui Dong

Associate Professor of Institute of Vocational Education of Tianjin Normal University

Organization Units

Host

The Association of Education and Technology 

The Association of Education and Technology (AET) is a non-profit international organization dedicated to the development of global education in Cambridge, England. AET is committed to promoting inter-school exchanges and teaching cooperation between the UK and the world in education area, cultivating students' global vision, strengthening science and technology education, and developing the various talents needed for 21st century talents.

Institute of Vocational and Continuing Education 

Established in 1957, National Institute of Education and Sciences (NIES) is a national comprehensive education research institution directly under the Administration of the Ministry of Education, PRC. As of September 2018, the Chinese Academy of Education Science had 13 institutes, including educational science press, audio-visual press, national education science and technology development center, and training center. It has set up a decision-making simulation and analysis platform for education and economic population and social development, an education research platform and a visiting scholar training platform. Institute of Vocational and Continuing Education is affiliated to National Institute of Education and Sciences (NIES).

Co-organizer

China-British Business Council  

The China–Britain Business Council (CBBC) is the leading British organization promoting trade and investment between China and the UK. The main objective of CBBC is to assist British companies to do business in China. It works in close collaboration with UK Trade & Investment (UKTI), for whom it delivers China business development services.

Organizer: 

First Landing Education Ltd.

Headquartered in Cambridge, England with a major Representative Office in Beijing. First Landing Education (FLE) has over 50 business partners across 70 cities. FLE mainly provides multi-level and multi-type international exchange project services, including: short-term non-academic program (student and adult), teacher training, principal visits, university study abroad projects, international consultancy and execution service in higher vocational colleges, government & industry representatives overseas visits, company overseas visits and so on. FLE is committed to building a bridge of mutual respect and understanding between China and the United Kingdom, providing an effective and exciting platform for further educational exchanges. At present, many high-quality educational cooperation projects and exchange courses have been custom-designed for the Chinese government, industry, enterprises, and academies. The achievements have been highly recognized by both Chinese and British government departments and institutions.