From a skills gap to subject matter experts
"This is working, and we've seen positive support and reinforcement from senior leaders, who are also nominating people. More and more people are enquiring about the apprenticeships instead of me encouraging attendance."
"People are so much more confident in their roles, and they're becoming subject matter experts. They're bleeding this knowledge back into the wider team. It's not just a learned skill. It's a skill that, as a wider division, we're now learning," Lucy, Apprenticeship Lead at Oxford University Press.
Lucy confirms the results from Corndel's programmes are currently being measured qualitatively. The feedback that Lucy has received highlights that people are seeing a significant development in themselves, not just skills-wise, but personally too. However, as more employees complete Corndel apprenticeships, quantitative KPIs will emphasise the impact of the programmes.
"People are completing their apprenticeship lifecycles, so we can start to measure in a more quantitative way. We've got some fantastic grades coming through."
Lucy also explains that people are becoming increasingly interested in the apprenticeships, leading to encouragement and nominations from senior stakeholders.
"These apprenticeships are working, and we've seen positive support and reinforcement from senior leaders, who are also nominating people. More and more people are enquiring about the apprenticeships instead of me encouraging attendance," says Lucy.
Spearheading data transformation
"When I look back at our mission, particularly digital transformation and becoming a lot more data focused, we're seeing that these programmes are helping people become much more knowledgeable. The impact is two-fold. It's the skill development and the personal development, which is boosting confidence".
Lucy refers to two data-driven programmes that Corndel delivers. Each programme offers something different, focusing on various learning units like data literacy, practical skills to handle data responsibly, how to analyse large volumes of data to inform and enhance business decisions, and developing advanced skills in multiple data tools. Lucy specifically commends the Imperial College and Corndel Data-Driven Professional Programme, which saw a huge intake of learners.
"It's one of the apprenticeships that really supports our mission of data transformation. It filled a skills gap that we identified at that entry level data role," says Lucy.
Responding to unique development needs
"Corndel is one of our strongest providers. We've enjoyed every minute working with them. We've got a positive working relationship, and feedback from both line managers and learners has great".
Lucy says it's been fantastic to witness the evidence, not just in terms of grades obtained but also the confidence and calibre of colleagues. She explains that conversations with Corndel are productive and recur monthly, with more frequent meetings scheduled closer to a programme launch. These are carried out to understand OUP's wants and needs, ensuring Corndel delivers courses that cater to OUP's unique challenges.
"It's been a fantastic experience, and I really look forward to continuing our partnership and keep progressing."