Tees Business Tees Business issue 17 | Page 69

Serving the Teesside Business Community | 69 Flexible learning - Teesside University is offering a number of online learning platforms. Apprenticeship success Businesses are increasingly turning to Teesside University to support their staff with higher and degree apprenticeship programmes. A “Our online learning provision provides a flexible learning environment for students, whether they are employees juggling the demands of the modern workplace or part-time or mature learners who wish to study at their own pace.” “D2L is both proud and excited to be Teesside University’s technology partner on the forthcoming Online Distance Learning project, an important part of the university’s wider digital transformation programme. “Both Teesside University and D2L already have outstanding reputations for innovation in our respective markets, with Teesside offering its unique and highly relevant Future Facing Learning pedagogic approach and D2L’s VLE, Brightspace, providing the very best in modern, accessible and engaging learning technology. “Together, we look forward to cementing these reputations as we work to deliver a truly world-class online learning experience to Teesside’s students.” For more information on online courses at Teesside University visit tees.ac.uk/onlinelearning growing number of businesses are becoming aware of the advantages offered by higher and degree apprenticeship programmes. Teesside University is proving itself to be a leader in this field, having recently been rated as ‘Outstanding’ for higher apprenticeships after being among the first higher education institutions in the country to have its provision subject to a full inspection by Ofsted. Teesside University Business School is now a large-scale provider of business-based apprenticeship provision. Since May 2017, more than 170 learners from over 45 organisations have signed up to study degree apprenticeship at the school. While degree apprenticeships offer companies the chance to upskill their employees through their levy contribution, because of the way they are designed they also guarantee that the qualifications will meet the demands of their business. Teesside University Business School works hard to ensure its degree apprenticeships fulfil the requirements of employers, both in terms of the programme content and also the way in which they are delivered. The Business School recently worked with ports and logistics operator PD Ports to launch a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) for a closed cohort of 20 of its staff. The bespoke three-year course has been designed to give participants the skills, knowledge and experience to lead the business in the years ahead and combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills in the workplace. David Wilson, group HR manager for PD Ports, said: “Teesside University’s business school leads the field in terms of employer engagement and by developing this bespoke CMDA for us they have proved once again that they can deliver an exceptional learning experience with the right blend of academic excellence, entrepreneurial thinking and real-life application that meets the requirements of the local business community.” The MBA is also being offered as a master’s level degree apprenticeship, as well as through online distance learning and a traditional, full-time programme. The Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship underpins workplace application of management skills with academic learning and an MBA qualification, and incorporates Chartered Manager Institute competencies. It has been inspired by Babson College in the United States, a global leader in the teaching of entrepreneurship. Dr David Norris, associate dean (marketing and recruitment) at Teesside University Business School, said: “From our degree apprenticeship offer to our new online learning platform, we’re very proud of the way in which we work with both learners and employers to develop flexible modes of delivery and high-quality learning experiences to meet the demands of the modern world.” For information on higher and degree apprenticeships at Teesside University visit tees.ac.uk/apprenticeships