Elevate celebrates a year of apprenticeship transformation: Stories of growth, collaboration, and learner empowerment

Guest Blog from our Curriculum Manager, Charly Webb-Ellis

A year has flown by since we launched our first Elevate apprenticeship programme, and it’s been an extraordinary year filled with growth, innovation, and inspiring stories of learner success. As we mark this milestone, we’re proud to reflect on the incredible journey we’ve taken and the collaborative achievements that have made Elevate a force for positive change in the world of apprenticeships. 

 

Our vision for Elevate: Nurturing the talent of tomorrow 

Elevate was born out of a vision to create apprenticeships that go beyond the ordinary. We’re passionate about empowering learners, creating a thriving learning community, and preparing them for the ever-changing modern workplace. 

• A learner-centric experience: We believe that learning should be engaging, personalised, and supportive. That’s why we’ve woven peer-to-peer learning, tailored personal development, and interactive eLearning resources into the very fabric of our programmes. We strive to create an environment where learners feel empowered, inspired, and equipped to reach their full potential. 

• Preparing for the digital future: We’re not just focused on today’s skills; we’re building the foundation for tomorrow’s careers. Elevate apprentices will finish their apprenticeship journey with the digital fluency and adaptability needed to thrive in an ever-evolving work landscape. 

• Making learning enjoyable and accessible: we have designed the Bud activities to be user-friendly and putting everything learners and tutors need at their fingertips. We’ve also made a concerted effort to focus on soft skills development, empowering apprentices to overcome challenges with confidence and resilience. 

 

A Year of Impact: Four programmes and a bright future ahead 

In just twelve months, we’ve successfully launched four impactful programmes, spanning various sectors: 

• Lead Adult Care (Level 3): Equipping aspiring leaders with the skills to excel in the adult care sector. 

• Adult Care Worker (Level 2): Providing a solid foundation for those starting their careers in adult care. 

• Residential Childcare (Level 4): Developing the next generation of skilled and compassionate residential childcare professionals. 

• Early Years Educator (Level 3): Nurturing the early years workforce with knowledge and expertise to support young children’s development. 

Our fifth programme, Early Years Practitioner (Level 2), is on the horizon, with more exciting developments in the pipeline. 

 

Elevate’s Evolution: A commitment to continuous improvement 

Elevate is a living, breathing apprenticeship model that evolves alongside the needs of our learners. In the past year, we’ve introduced a number of enhancements: 

• Integrated career development woven throughout the entire learning journey, starting from day one. 

• Group sessions to kick-start the learning process, setting expectations and building camaraderie from the outset. 

• Refined marketing materials and streamlined enrolment processes for a smoother onboarding experience. 

• Regular feedback sessions with Quality Improvement Coaches (QICs) and tutors, ensuring continuous quality assurance. 

• Greater emphasis on personal development skills, equipping learners with the tools for lifelong success in both their careers and personal lives. 

 

In Their Words: Learner Voices Celebrate Elevate’s Impact 

CYPF Residential Childcare: 

• “Julie was an amazing tutor… I found this workshop so helpful at understanding my role better.” 

• “Jules is a fantastic workshop leader and very welcoming and supportive. It was great to discuss the topics with other learners…” 

• “Very good presentation, enjoyable and useful. Thanks a lot!” 

Early Years Educator: 

• “Really supportive and helpful.” 

• “I really enjoyed the workshop. Everything was made very clear. Thank you.” 

• “Suzanne was very helpful and explained thoroughly.” 

Lead Adult Care Worker: 

• “Luke is very approachable and knowledgeable. Explains in a human way not too technical!!” 

• “I have ADHD and find it hard to concentrate…I found this very engaging and I managed to stay focused.” 

• “The content was well-structured and easy to follow. I especially appreciated the practical examples…” 

Adult Care Worker (Level 2): 

• “It’s made me feel more confident in speaking up in groups.” 

• “Workshop was excellently delivered and very effective. I took away a lot.” 

• “Engaging and interactive session. The use of videos and activities kept me interested throughout.” 

eLearning Feedback: 

• “The E-lesson was tailored to an engaging level.” 

• “Really enjoyed the e-learning, especially the interactive elements.” 

• “Paragon Skills made [it] a very easy and simple way of learning through their online course material.” 

• “It’s quite fantastic and informative.” 

 

From the Experts: Paragon Skills colleagues share their perspectives 

• Nichola Honeyman (Adult Care QIC): “The level of detail and attention in our Elevate programme is exceptional… It’s thought-provoking and transformative.” 

• Ann Quigley (Curriculum Developer): “From its humble beginnings, the curriculum team has transitioned… into the innovative Elevate programme…It will be amazing to see the next year unfold.” 

• Heather Evan (Personal Tutor/Workshop Tutor): “A year ago, I was one of the biggest sceptics of the Elevate programme, but now I’m proud to be part of the delivery team and thrilled by its potential.” 

• Jacqui Beswick (Personal Tutor): “The Elevate programme has provided all learners with the opportunity for collaboration with peers… learners are given all the tools and information they need to excel.” 

• Tracy Howden (Client Relationship Manager): “The Paragon Skills Elevate Apprenticeships embodies what a true learning experience is. The Elevate vision is now a reality, impacting individuals not only in their working lives but also in their personal lives…” 

 

Building a brighter future through collaboration 

We are deeply committed to collaborating with our network of expert tutors, Quality Improvement Coaches, and sector specialists. Their insights, expertise, and feedback are invaluable in shaping the future of Elevate, ensuring our apprenticeships remain relevant, engaging, and effective. 

 

A Heartfelt Thank You 

This journey wouldn’t have been possible without the dedication and passion of the entire Paragon Skills team. A massive thank you to all the brilliant tutors, the creative curriculum and digital content designers, and everyone in sales, marketing, admin, and support who have worked tirelessly to make Elevate a success. 

We’d also like to extend our deepest gratitude to Luke, Naomi, Nic, Karen, Heather, Mia, Amy, Jaqui, and Shireen for their exceptional contributions and unwavering support. 

Here’s to another year of growth, innovation, and empowering the workforce of tomorrow!