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Exeter College and the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust join forces to train health leaders of the future

By May 1, 2018January 26th, 2021Member News & Updates, Why Exeter blog

Exeter College has been awarded its largest ever single contract under the new Apprenticeship Levy to deliver leadership training for managers at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E).

This forms a ground-breaking programme developed by two of Exeter’s largest organisations designed to support non-clinical staff to develop the leadership and management skills to meet the strategic aims of the NHS and its support for patients. 

The programme combines nationally recognised Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Leadership and Management Diplomas with workplace learning and is funded by the Apprenticeship Levy.

Rob Bosworth, Vice Principal (Schools, Partnerships and Curriculum) Exeter College, said: “Exeter College is developing a specialised and bespoke city based partnership with the RD&E. There has never been a more important time to ensure Exeter as a community-focused college is listening to and meeting the need of its local employers.

“With the opportunities facing the Trust we are delighted to be able to develop training that meets the needs of this essential local employer and we are proud to be working closely on other future initiatives.”

Under the partnership with the RD&E, Exeter College will be delivering the Level 3 CMI Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership, as well as the Level 5 CMI Diploma in Management and Leadership.

The partnership programme developed by the Learning and Development Team at the RD&E and the College enables the Apprentices not only to achieve skills to national standards through Apprenticeship training, but also study for professional qualifications which they can take with them throughout their career.  The joint initiative comes as a year after the introduction of the new Apprenticeship Levy.

Exeter College is an award winning provider of Apprenticeships and is ranked in the national Top 10 for Apprenticeship achievement rates amongst Further Education (FE) colleges, according to national figures. Apprenticeship achievement rates at the college have been measured at 83.1 per cent for 2016/17, significantly higher than the national average of 67 per cent for FE colleges. Meanwhile, the college has also recorded strong growth in Apprenticeships against national trends.

The first group of RD&E staff to join the programme recently took part in a three-day induction at the Haven Banks Outdoor Education Centre at Exeter Quay. This unique experience combined practical team building challenges and academic study. It gave the opportunity for participating staff across the Trust to form the professional and supportive bonds which will add value and enhance their learning experience.

Tracey Cottam, Executive Director of Transformation & Organisational Development, RD&E, said: “Developing our staff is really important to us, and we see it as a key priority. We have a great team of people who deliver fantastic compassionate care every day to the public in Devon, and beyond.

“We are really excited about our partnership with Exeter College, and see it as a key relationship to enable us to build the talent we need for now, and in the future”

If you would like to find out more about Levy Funded Leadership and Management Apprenticeship training please contact the Exeter College Apprenticeships team on 01392 400800 or [email protected].