Skills Scan FAQS
Q1 – Why am I doing a Skills Scan?
⇰ The Skills Scan survey is an important part of your onboarding process. This helps you and others to understand your starting position as you prepare for the apprenticeship. Your employer has already identified this apprenticeship option as the right training for you in your job role, but they will benefit from understanding your judgements on your starting position – these are the knowledge skills and behaviours developed through the degree apprenticeship. This includes a significant commitment by your employer to provide the right experience in your job and in-work training. Please discuss this with them.
Q2 – How do I know my current ability?
⇰ We acknowledge that your initial judgements are subjective and need greater context. As you do the Skills Scan you might ask some sensible questions:
- What is an “advanced practitioner”? When do I know if I already have a skill? How do I know what I don’t know? Am I smart enough to sit the assessment now without any new learning?
The main rule of thumb is to be honest about your current position and give us your best guess. This is not a test, just be honest and don’t exaggerate. If your employer thinks you already have all the skills, knowledge and behaviour to be fully competent they would not be committing to this training.
Q3 – What will happen to my Skills Scan?
⇰ This survey gives the Course Leader, Lecturers and your Work-based Learning Coach from the University (as well as your employer-based mentor) an indication of your starting position for the course and sets your growth and development areas. We will discuss this with you early in the programme.
Q4 – Do my answers affect my eligibility for the course?
⇰ This exercise also demonstrates to the funding body that you will benefit from substantial new learning on the programme. There would be no point doing the apprenticeship if you already have the skills, knowledge and behaviours it is designed to support. We need to demonstrate this is a good use of public funding.
Q5 – Will my previous qualification matter?
⇰ We must take a careful look at any previous qualifications you might hold that were awarded at the same or higher level of study than the proposed apprenticeship. For example a Degree Apprenticeship involves study at levels 4, 5 and 6. Therefore, if you hold an HNC (level 4) we would need to compare that to the apprenticeship modules that are taught during Level 4 and consider whether you have Recognised Prior Learning (RPL).
Q6 – What is Recognised Prior Learning (RPL)?
⇰ RPL is the process of formally recognising the knowledge you have gained through your experience and through any previous formal or informal study. You can use this recognition to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam as part of the apprenticeship.
Q7 – What do I have to do if I think I might have a claim for Experiential RPL?
⇰ If this applies, you must demonstrate how you have learned from your experiences as recognition is not given simply for gaining the experience itself.
The learning you demonstrate will also need to be at the same level, or above, as the qualification you are planning to study. There are two ways to qualify for RPL.
- Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning – you will need to demonstrate relevant learning you have gained through your life and work experiences.
- Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning – you will need to provide evidence of the knowledge and skills you have gained and undergone formal assessment at college or university.
We will provide support and guidance to help you through whichever process is relevant to you and this is explored during your onboarding interview with the Work-based Learning Coach.
Q8 – If I am awarded credit, will this affect the price of the apprenticeship?
⇰ If after considering your previous qualification(s) and experience we need to adjust the duration and/or amount of study, we will discuss this with you and your employer and agree any proportionate adjustment to the total price of the apprenticeship.
Q9 – Once I have estimated my starting point by completing the Skills Scan, what might my development involve?
⇰ At Sheffield Hallam University we aim to provide a programme to build on your starting point and support your success at the End Point Assessment. By focussing on your work role we can support you to achieve more by:
- Developing heightened understanding through direct peer working – how the sector operates now and in the future.
- Testing and applying different practices and innovations to support the development of you and your employing organisation beyond your current practice.
- Developing self-awareness and personal commitment to develop and lead others through change.
- Supporting you to develop an inquiring appreciation of your wider context and therefore support your development through increasing levels of professionalism and expertise.
- Providing access to expertise and research to help you apply theories and concepts of law, policy, ethics etc. to achieve heightened professional behaviours and impact in the workplace.