Engaged with the employer and wedded to the student?

Strategies for the sustainable recruitment of work-based learners.

Anglia Ruskin University:Higher Skills @ Work

- development of new programmes- recruitment to those new programmes- focus on full-time work based learners - begun in March 2009- SDF-support to end of 2011-12- sustainable beyond 2012

Recruiting Work Based Learners

Key decision-makers:

EmployerPotential Student

A two-stage process?

Motivations, aspirations, fears & expectations?

Employer Potential Student

Line Manager

HRSMTFinance

Potential dangers to:

- recruited numbers- relationships with employers- retention of students- course viability- credibility

Key Activities:

- Developing marketing & sales messages

- Managing the recruitment process

Developing marketing & sales messages:

- motivations, aspirations, fears and expectations- the value of the product- realistic- understandable at every stage- consistent but tailored - direct communication with all decision-makers- the first step of induction

Managing the process

Employer Potential Student

University

Sustainable recruitment of work-based learners

- linking outreach and delivery- understanding the multiple customers- induction begins before application- value beyond the course

Tom TaylorHigher Skills @ WorkAnglia Ruskin Universitytom.taylor@anglia.ac.uk