As internal quality assurance professionals working with Skills Bootcamp providers, your role is vital in ensuring that participants receive top-notch training that aligns with industry needs. Drawing from the Evaluation of Skills Bootcamps 2022-23 (Wave 3) Implementation Report, here are some key insights and tips to help you run high-quality bootcamps:
Establish strong Employer-Provider relationships
Successful bootcamps are built on solid collaborations with employers. Wave 3 evidence shows that proactive engagement with employers ensures that bootcamps align with recruitment cycles and the specific skills employers seek.
Here’s how:
- Engage proactively:
Regularly communicate with employers to align training with their needs. - Leverage existing relationships:
Use established commercial relationships to build trust and ensure training meets both employer and learner needs. - Involve employers in curriculum design:
Encourage employers to contribute to curriculum design to ensure industry relevance and alignment with recruitment targets.
What does quality look like?
Participant feedback from Wave 3 highlighted the importance of high-quality content and delivery. Here are some practices to consider:
- Pre-course introductory modules:
Offer introductory modules to help participants prepare and ensure suitable learner recruitment. - Experienced facilitators:
Engage facilitators with industry experience to enhance engagement and organisation. - Real-life employment activities:
Design activities that mirror real-life employment situations to help participants demonstrate their learning effectively. - Bespoke employability skills training:
Provide tailored employability skills training to boost participants’ confidence and employability.
Address delivery challenges
Despite positive feedback, some challenges persist. Addressing these proactively can enhance your bootcamp’s effectiveness:
- Guaranteed interviews:
Ensure the guaranteed interview process meets participants’ expectations. Communicate clearly about what participants can expect. - Employer awareness:
Increase awareness among employers about the benefits of Skills Bootcamps to enhance engagement and secure sufficient interviews. - Pathway to Accelerated Apprenticeship (PtAA):
Raise awareness and uptake of the PtAA scheme among participants and employers. - Realistic KPIs:
While aiming for high performance, ensure your KPIs are realistic. Consider focusing on both co-funded and self-employed participants to secure positive outcomes.
Planning for a Ofsted inspections as a Bootcamp provider?
SDN is running a free webinar for Skills Bootcamp providers, to help you to be confident and have a good handle on the performance of your provision when you receive the call for your Ofsted inspections.
The session aims to:
- Develop your understanding of Ofsted inspections
- Create your practical plan to prepare for the visit
- Help you to self-assess well, clearly articulating evidence-based strengths and weaknesses
- Implement an effective model of prioritised quality improvement planning
Visit the events page to register your place.