Elevating apprenticeships at Paragon Skills: A year of collaboration and innovation
Guest Blog from our Curriculum Manager, Charly Webb-Ellis
It’s been nearly a year since Paragon Skills launched our first Elevate programme, and we’ve been reflecting on the remarkable journey we’ve taken. Our talented team of curriculum and learning experts, led by Charly and Lynsey, have truly outdone themselves. Together, they’ve forged crucial relationships with our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), who have been instrumental in ensuring our content not only meets but exceeds the needs of our learners, empowering them to become the best versions of themselves, both professionally and personally.
At the heart of Elevate: Collaboration and expertise
Our Elevate programme is built upon a foundation of collaboration and expertise. Our Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) are the unsung heroes of this initiative, bringing their real-world experience and industry insights directly into our curriculum development process. This ensures that our materials are not just theoretically sound but also practically relevant, reflecting the actual skills and knowledge apprentices need to thrive in their chosen fields.
A rigorous path to quality: The Elevate Way
The Elevate curriculum development process is a testament to our commitment to excellence:
- Strategic planning: SMEs work hand-in-hand with our curriculum team to identify key learning objectives, aligning them with the latest industry trends and employer needs. This ensures that our apprenticeships remain cutting-edge and valuable.
- Engaging content creation: Our digital content designers and curriculum developers then transform these learning objectives into captivating materials. We employ various modalities, such as interactive eLearning modules, engaging videos, hands-on projects, and collaborative workshops, to cater to diverse learning styles and make learning a truly immersive experience.
- Comprehensive review: At Paragon Skills, quality is paramount. Our rigorous Elevate review process includes peer reviews, curriculum manager assessments, SME scrutiny, and final approval from Quality Improvement Coaches. This ensures that our materials meet and exceed the highest industry standards.
- Continuous improvement through feedback: We believe in the power of feedback. We actively seek input from learners and tutors, incorporating their insights into our ongoing curriculum refinement process. This ensures our materials remain dynamic, responsive, and aligned with the evolving needs of the industry.
Empowering apprentices through collaboration
Elevate is more than just a curriculum; it’s a holistic approach to apprenticeship development. We foster collaboration across departments, working closely with our marketing team for programme promotion, our business development team for apprentice recruitment, and our learner support team for personalised guidance and mentoring. This integrated approach guarantees that our apprentices receive comprehensive support throughout their entire learning journey.
A year of success and a bright future ahead
As we celebrate the first anniversary of Elevate, we’re incredibly proud of the impact it has had on our apprentices and the businesses they serve. By fostering collaboration, valuing SME expertise, and maintaining a rigorous quality assurance process, Paragon Skills continues to set the standard for apprenticeship programmes. We are committed to empowering apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and confidence they need to excel in their careers, while simultaneously providing employers with a highly skilled workforce that’s prepared to tackle the challenges of tomorrow.
We invite you to explore our Elevate programme and discover how Paragon Skills can help you or your organisation achieve your learning and development goals. Let’s continue this conversation and create a brighter future for apprentices and the workforce together.