Level 7 Apprenticeship - Senior People Professional
Who is the programme aimed at?
The Senior People Professional apprenticeship has optional elements for those specialising in learning and development or organisational development and is therefore designed for individuals working in either field. The Senior People Professional role has a focus on strategic level L&D/OD, driving the development, implementation and evaluation of the organisation’s people policy and practices, to get the best out of employees at all levels through appropriate people interventions and initiatives.
How will the programme be delivered?
Through an individual blended learning plan which includes, online learning activities and workshops, learning through experience in the workplace, as well as functional skills. The learning plan is designed around the apprentice’s individual needs in enabling them to achieve and demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours, as well as the occupational profile, set out in the apprenticeship standard.
Learners will complete the CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development as part of their programme, and those not already holding Grade 2 functional skills in maths and English will also work towards achievement of this within their programme.
Apprentices are allocated a skills coach to support their learning and progress, as well as providing pastoral support and ensuring the right development opportunities are identified and put in place.
Key aspects of the programme are highlighted below:
Pre-programme
Every apprentice completes a learning needs analysis to enable us to identify their starting point for the programme and the learning they need to complete to achieve the apprenticeship. Diagnostic activities in maths and English are completed, and an introduction to safeguarding and Prevent provided through online learning activities.
Introduction to the apprenticeship
- Both the apprentice and their line manager have an induction to the apprenticeship.
- The apprentice is registered on the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development.
On programme
- Delivery of the knowledge and skills is by blended learning, with a choice of either face to face with online learning or 100% online learning. Both study modes include live workshops enabling learners to interact with tutors and fellow learners.
- Apprentices also undertake independent study, completing assignments, as well as other off the job and on demand online activities.
- Gathering a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate application of the knowledge, skills, and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard.
- Review meetings take place every 2 months between the apprentice and skills coach.
- Assessment throughout the programme is used to monitor progress towards meeting all the requirements of the apprenticeship standard, and ultimately readiness for ‘gateway’ and end-point assessment
- Online activities and tutor support for Maths and English
- Review meetings with the apprentice’s line manager, supporting their engagement in the programme.
End-Point Assessment
End-point assessment (EPA) is the final ‘test’ undertaken by all apprentices once they have completed their learning. EPA involves the apprentice in completing specified tasks designed to enable the apprentice to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard. This is carried out and marked by an independent EPA organisation (EPAO) whose role, through assessment of the EPA activities, is to determine if the apprentice has met the requirements of the apprenticeship standard.
The end-point assessment organisation is chosen by the employer; they are independent of the apprentice’s learning programme. End-point assessment is funded through the apprenticeship levy.
Once learning is complete, the apprentice undertakes end-point assessment – specified tasks designed to enable the apprentice to demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and behaviours in the apprenticeship standard. The end-point assessment organisation is chosen by the employer, and their role is to assess the completed tasks against the apprenticeship standard. They are independent of the apprentice’s learning programme. End-point assessment is funded through the apprenticeship levy.
For the Senior People Professional apprenticeship, end-point assessment requires the apprentice to submit a portfolio of evidence, to be used as the basis for a professional discussion, along with a project proposal, and a presentation with questions.
Our role is to ensure that the apprentice and employer are supported in preparing for end-point assessment, and feel confident and ready to tackle the tasks involved.
20% Off-The-Job Learning
One of the rules of funding provision for apprenticeships is that the employer must allocate 20% of the apprentice’s contracted hours to off the job training. We can provide clarification about activities that count as off the job training, which include, for example, participating in activities in the workplace that are a learning opportunity for the apprentice and relevant to the apprenticeship standard, attending workshops, completing assignments and the reading and research needed for this, attending conferences or external training sessions and completing online learning tasks.
How long will the apprenticeship programme last?
The apprenticeship takes around 36 months to complete, although the exact duration depends on the apprentice’s prior experience, learning, or qualifications which is identified at the pre-programme stage
Funding for the apprenticeship
There is a cap of £19,000 for programme funding through the apprenticeship – this includes the fee for end-point assessment. The fee is determined by identifying the apprentice’s learning needs, prior experience, learning and qualifications and we can confirm this following completion of the pre-programme analysis activities.
To complete the CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development, apprentices are required to become Student members of the CIPD – please note that the fee for this cannot be met by the apprenticeship levy. On successfully completing the programme, the apprentice is upgraded to Associate level membership of CIPD and with the right experience, is able to apply for further upgrading to Chartered membership if they so wish.
At cHRysos HR we welcome the opportunity to celebrate the successes and achievements of all our learners and we do this by hosting an annual Celebration of Achievement, a graduation-style event which all our apprentices who have successfully completed their programme are invited to attend.
What about progressing further?
The Level 7 apprenticeship is the highest available in the Learning & Development and Organisational Development professions, however, individuals may consider advancing to a Master’s programme, or attending further courses to develop knowledge and skills in specialist aspects of their profession.
Contact us about our Level 7 Senior People Professional Apprenticeship with optional pathways for Learning & Development, Organisational Development and Human Resources.