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The science of testing for learning difficulties – introducing the Cattel-Horn-Carrol (CHC) model
It's reported up to 20% of adult learners are neurodiverse, often unaware of their specific learning difficulties. What is the science behind identifying these challenges?
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Preparing for R14 and the new academic year: key strategies and functional insights
With the 2023/2024 academic year behind us and the dust settled from the R14 submissions, providers can take a moment to reflect and regroup. As ...
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How science explains Specific Learning Difficulties
The Cattell-Horn-Carroll (CHC) model of cognitive abilities (e.g., Schneider & McGrew, 2012) provides an explanation of how different cognitive abilities relate to each other and ...
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Level 5 learners with functional skills at highest withdrawal risk
Apprentice learners who need to complete functional skills in English and Maths often struggle more with their apprenticeship programmes. They tend to fall behind schedule ...
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Aligning AI adoption with your business goals
Drawing on conversations with multiple apprenticeship providers, we offer a reminder of why a strategic response to this technology revolution matters to senior leadership teams. ...
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Functional skills modules have a negative impact on apprenticeship completion rates
Aptem's study of over 160,000 apprentices highlights that functional skills modules in English and Maths negatively impact completion rates. Apprentices that have these modules as ...
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Webinars
Webinar: Engaging tomorrow’s talent – UCAS actionable insights for employers
Catch up with this USCA apprenticeships webinar hosted by Pete Milsom, UCAS Partnerships Manager, and Jo Richards, UCAS Senior Insights Lead. It explores how young ...
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Aptem Enhance: marking aid launch
This exciting marking aid tool is Aptem Enhance’s newest product feature. By suggesting improvements to elements such as spelling, grammar, punctuation, and word count, our ...
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Webinar: Championing apprenticeships – update from UCAS, with Pete Milsom, UCAS Partnerships Manager
UCAS continues to deliver on its goal of giving parity to apprenticeships as a pathway into careers. It is creating a consolidated platform for people ...
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Webinar: How to build a best-in-class progress review process
As an apprenticeship provider, you are unlikely to need convincing of the benefits of conducting progress reviews that are meaningful, motivational and data driven. But, ...
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Webinar: Aptem Enhance feature drop #2: Virtual assistant and applied KSBs
The highly anticipated second instalment of our Aptem Enhance feature launch webinar series is now available for you to watch on demand. Discover the latest ...
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Webinar: Adopting AI in your organisation – from ‘why’ to ‘how’
More than half (52%) of training providers in Aptem’s 2024 industry survey expressed an interest in AI. But, they are yet to explore or engage ...
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Aptem Enhance feature drop #2: Virtual assistant and applied KSBs
Discover the latest updates to Aptem’s Enhance features, including the virtual assistant launch and new Checkpoint questioning capabilities. Join our product managers as we delve into the transformative impact of AI on apprenticeship delivery and get an exclusive look at our strategic roadmap.
Adopting AI in your organisation – from ‘why’ to ‘how’
In this webinar, Rob Aitchison, a consultant to established companies and start-ups on the strategic and safe application of AI, provides his perspective and advice for organisations planning their next steps in AI adoption. The session addresses why AI adoption is important and timely, the current state of AI, including major players and challenges, the UK Government’s perspective, including insights from Ofsted and Ofqual, how to assess organisational readiness for AI, and how to select partners and measure progress.
Introducing Aptem's Communications Connector with Microsoft Teams
We introduced a Communications Connector in April 2024 to allow customers to bring their organisation’s Microsoft Teams license into Aptem. This offers learners and tutors a secure, familiar and consistent experience, enabling them to schedule, reschedule, and cancel meetings and reviews. This 15-minute session showcased how this connector works and provided a Q&A session to answer any related questions.
Navigating challenges in apprenticeship systems: Enrolment dropouts, administrative hurdles, and rigid review procedures
This webinar dived into the thorny challenges of apprenticeship delivery, showcasing how Aptem is designed to help training providers succeed. Our expert panel comprised former heads of apprenticeships; each of whom has walked in the shoes of apprenticeship providers, understanding both the demands of the sector and the varying capability of apprenticeship management systems on the market.
2024/25 Apprenticeship funding rules – key changes from the draft, with David Lockhart-Hawkins
In this 30-minute webinar, David talked through the headlines in the draft changes and guided providers in giving their feedback in preparation for the final release later in the Spring.
Aptem Enhance: AI-powered innovation in apprenticeship delivery
Following the successful launch of our first AI-driven enhancement, Aptem Checkpoint, this session showcased how we’re continuing to develop a series of tools to help apprenticeship providers spend less time on admin and more time with learners. We shared our AI-powered Aptem Enhance strategy and were joined by Dom Wilkinson, Product Owner at Lifetime Training who shared how Lifetime has already embraced the first of these features.
Ofsted in the HE sector - insights from an inspection nominee
In this webinar, Ian Harper, Commercial & Business Development Director at Buckinghamshire New University shares his experience of being an Ofsted inspection nominee. Ian is joined by Kerry Boffey, CEO & Founder of the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN) who gives her expert views on the key themes highlighted by Ian.
Foundations for profitability - with Vince Hannant from Melior Esse
In this webinar, Vince Hannant, Founder of business consultancy, Melior Esse, discusses principles that your apprenticeship business should have in its process and operations to ensure you are in control of key decisions that influence your profit margins.
Preparing for your SAR submission – with Kerry Boffey, CEO & Founder at FIN
Regular self-assessment is crucial for apprenticeship providers in ensuring quality assurance. Led by Kerry Boffey, the session provided practical insights, best practices, and tips for effective SAR submissions. The Aptem team demonstrated how to extract information from Aptem to showcase your provision’s performance effectively.
Aptem Checkpoint - first look at independent AI-driven learner progress checking
Aptem Checkpoint is our first AI-driven product which independently checks learner understanding, helps evidence progress and acts as a supportive tool to successful completion. We were joined by Ryan Palmer, CEO of YMCA and one of Aptem Checkpoint’s first customers.
How ITPs can survive and thrive in an inflationary market
The Strategic Development Network (SDN) and Aptem recently teamed up to produce a white paper aimed at helping Independent Training Providers (ITPs) negotiate the uncertain economic and policy landscape. This webinar brings together a panel of its contributors, including Alex Miles, Managing Director of Yorkshire Learning Providers, to discuss the strategies explored in the white paper.
Preparing for an ESFA Audit with Aptem
This webinar, hosted by Tony Allen, an expert and consultant in apprenticeships and compliance, and Freya Ni Chleirigh, Aptem Product Owner, compliments Aptem’s recently released eBook and provides information on how to prepare for Audit and maximise the support you can get from your apprenticeship management system – Aptem.
Exploring AI's transformative potential in apprenticeships: Insights from industry leaders
The session provides valuable insights from industry leaders as they candidly shared their reflections and firsthand experiences in identifying both opportunities and obstacles across crucial domains – broadening participation, enhancing the learner experience, driving operational efficiency and sector-wide retention.
Revolutionising Apprenticeships: Unleashing the Power of AI and Language Technology
Presented in collaboration with apprenticeship and AI expert, Sean Williams, the session explored the opportunities presented by AI and Large Language Models for the apprenticeship sector, and covered how you can manage the ‘watch outs’ of these advancements in technology.
Enhancing the evolution of apprenticeship technology through AI and Large Language Models
A panel of product and technology experts from Aptem comprehensively explore how apprenticeship technology should apply elements of language technology, to better support training providers to reap benefits. We delve into the dynamic role technology assumes and outline Aptem’s strategic approach to integrating AI into our product roadmap.
Addressing the challenges surrounding employer engagement
Presented in partnership with apprenticeship expert, Bally Bhogal, the session provided some insights into how you can effectively engage employers with the apprenticeship journey and overcome some of the key challenges we commonly hear from the sector.
Costing and Recognition of Prior Learning and Experience (RPLE), linked to recent audits
Presented in partnership with Seren Skills, the session explored the challenges providers face in relation to RPLE, as identified in recent audits, and provided valuable insight into the applications of RPLE and the factors to consider in light of the new funding rules.
Quality, curriculum and compliance: how to avoid a funding headache
Presented in partnership with Compliance Specialist, Tony Allen, and Katie Thornton, Director of Quality and Performance at Ensis Solutions, the session explored how providers can balance quality, curriculum and compliance to create engaging apprenticeships that meet funding requirements.
Understanding the 23/24 apprenticeship funding rules
On 31 March 2023, the Department for Education released the 23/24 Apprenticeship Funding Rules. We partnered with compliance specialist, David Lockhart-Hawkins, to walk through the new planned rules, focusing on key changes and clarifications of the funding rules, and the potential impact on providers in implementing the new rules.
The grab for growth: recruiting with integrity
Presented by Kerry Boffey, CEO and Founder of the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN), the session focused on the growth of apprenticeships and the challenges faced by providers as they increase learner numbers.
Apprenticeship engagement and compliance with David Lockhart-Hawkins
If last visits or progress reviews are what you measure risk of retention by, you’re a little behind the times. This webinar was hosted by David Lockhart-Hawkins, Director & Strategic Consultant in Apprenticeship Compliance and Implementation. David looks at best practices in monitoring your apprentice engagements and practical strategies to reduce funding risks including looking at the compliance role of engagement data, rules around compliance, best practices in measuring apprentice engagement data and more.
Identification of Additional Learning Support needs
This webinar introduced Aptem Assess: a new cognitive assessment tool that enables you to seamlessly identify and respond to learning needs. The webinar showcased how Aptem Assess provides a better way for you to integrate assessment into your onboarding, without lengthy processes for learners, external logins or the need to manually chase assessment completion.
Ofsted for training providers: What to look out for in 2022/23
Hosted by Kerry Boffey, CEO and founder of the Fellowship of Inspection Nominees (FIN), this webinar provided insight into what senior leaders and heads of quality might expect from an Ofsted Inspection over the coming months.
Compliance challenges with the the 22/23 funding rules
Led by compliance expert, David Lockhart-Hawkins, this session focused on some of the core difficulties faced by providers in efficiently implementing the new rules. David covers key changes to and clarification of the funding rules, and the potential impact on providers.
Developing a healthy compliance culture with David Lockhart-Hawkins
Is your approach to compliance creating an unhealthy working environment? Does the fear of error drive business behaviours? This webinar looks at how to create a healthy balance that is aware of risk but promotes transparency. Designed for leaders and managers, in addition to those who work in a compliance role, this webinar examines how they approach compliance in their organisation.
Understanding the updated Apprenticeship Accountability Framework with David Lockhart-Hawkins
In May 2022, the Department for Education released the updated Apprenticeship Accountability Framework Technical Specification for 2021 to 2022. These included a new measure for minimum apprenticeship provider performance level, with overall all-age QAR of less than 60% meaning provision ‘needs improvement’, and a rate of less than 50% meaning provision is ‘at risk’. This session looked to address provider questions.
Learner Reviews webinar with Tony Allen
Tony Allen is an expert consultant who offers his knowledge of the skills system and the government’s apprenticeship reform programme, acquired through fourteen years in the Skills Funding Agency, to help training providers and employers. In this webinar he talked through Learner Reviews: The role of learner reviews in the apprenticeship journey; The benefits of effective learner reviews; Why learner reviews are important; What happens if you don’t get them right; 7 steps to effective learner reviews. Shaun Elliott, Product Director at Aptem, walked through Aptem’s review functionality.
How to manage change effectively in your workplace with Henry Cohen
Research from McKinsey and Company shows 70% of all transformations fail and this figure is concerningly rising. Whilst change is a constant, successfully implementing change, whether this is a technology change or other organisational change, requires a good change management strategy.
Henry Cohen, who has more than two decades of experience in managing large-scale, global business and technology change programmes, talks through the key factors behind an effective change management strategy and delivery.
Big data in education and training
Why is Big Data important in the education and training sector? How will it shape the sector and delivery models in the future? How can you extract insightful information that can guide your organisational strategy? Host, Mark Abrahams, Head of Research at Aptem, explores these questions and more.
What is to be done about the UK’s skills deficit?
With the pandemic creating sectoral crises and Brexit affecting skilled labour migration, the UK’s skills deficit and misalignment needs urgent attention. With presentations by Dr Fiona Aldridge, Director for Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute and Dr Deborah Talbot, Employment and Education Editor at Aptem, this webinar looked at just why skills are so essential to the economy and wellbeing, and what policies the UK needs to ensure economic competitiveness and a secure society.
The future of learning delivery is blended
Trends towards blended learning and use of remote technologies have accelerated over the pandemic. Driven by pragmatics but also users who reap flexibility and access for hard to reach groups (parents, those with disabilities etc.). Post-pandemic expect a move to more use of blended learning. In this webinar Aptem’s Head of eLearning, Steve Hargreaves, took a pedagogic look at what teaching might work best remotely and face-to-face, and visions for an ideal blended learning experience.
Creating a digital literacy culture and using technology to enhance learning
The appetite for digital solutions has increased exponentially and there is huge opportunity to use technology to enhance learning. Watch our webinar with Georgina Burton, Head of Implementation, sharing her experience of developing digital literacy within organisations and building a digital culture that supports the use of technology within our sector.
Changes, challenges and the role of digital in future employability programmes
Elizabeth Taylor from ERSA joined Tony Carr, 4Front Partners and Richard Alberg, Aptem, to discuss the changes, challenges and the role of digital in the future of employability and delivery of employability programmes.
Exploring alternative talent pools for recruiting employability professionals
Aptem has commissioned a piece of research in partnership with the IEP about the employability practitioner labour market, to help employability providers as they consider how they scale their workforce to meet growing demand.
Catch up on the presentation of this research, including a Q&A section at the end where employability providers who were able to attend the session raised some important points.
How to manage employer engagement with Tony Allen and Ben Drain
Hosted by Tony Allen, an expert and consultant who offers his knowledge of the skills system and the government apprenticeship reform programme, and Ben Drain, Apprenticeships, Operations and Quality Director at Pareto Law, this webinar discussed best practices in employer engagement.
What role will behavioural sciences play in the post-pandemic employment recovery?
The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted employability, causing a rise in unemployment and redundancies that have taken a negative toll on the nation
Dr Darren Coppin, Founder and Head of Research considers the role behavioural sciences can, and should, play in the recovery of employability after the crisis.
State of the Art Tech for Employment programmes
Aptem’s CEO, Richard Alberg, presents a view of today’s employability challenges and demonstrates how technology platform Aptem Employ can help job seekers back into work quickly and for the long term.
A demonstration of Aptem’s Intelligence Dashboard for Universities
Aptem’s Richard Alberg and Mandy Crawford-Lee from UVAC held a webinar for Universities to discuss and demonstrate how they can use Aptem’s free Intelligence Dashboard to view market positions, identify opportunities and make data-driven strategic decisions.
What role will behavioural sciences play in the post-pandemic employment recovery?
The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted employability, causing a rise in unemployment and redundancies that have taken a negative toll on the nation
Dr Darren Coppin, Founder and Head of Research considers the role behavioural sciences can, and should, play in the recovery of employability after the crisis.
Upcoming events and webinars
We have thoroughly enjoyed connecting with many of you throughout the sector’s busy Autumn events season. As we finalise our 2025 events calendar, we’re excited to share the details of our inaugural aSpire Customer Conference.
Aptem customer events
aSpire 2025 – Aptem’s Customer Conference
15 May 2025 | The Grand Hotel, Birmingham
We’re excited to bring our customers together for the first time for a tailor-made experience that will leave you full of ideas, knowledge and new connections.
At this exclusive event, Aptem customers will be able to deep dive into ‘how to’ sessions, attend specialised workshops by trusted industry partners, understand upcoming features and updates, get hands-on tips to maximise use of Aptem, and much more.
Book your tickets here.
We have concluded our 2024 webinar series – thank you to all who participated. Our teams are working together to develop our 2025 webinar schedule, which we will share in the coming weeks. Please keep an eye out for your email invitations. In the meantime, you can register for our Aptem Enhance quarterly update webinar on Tuesday 25th February, and catch up with our previous webinars on-demand.
