People Professional Apprenticeship
As a Workplace Mentor for the People Professional Apprenticeship (PPA), you play a crucial role in developing the next generation of professional managers. This programme is designed to equip Apprentices with the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed to excel in management roles and drive organisational success.
On this page:
Programme Overview
The People Professional Apprenticeship is a Level 5 programme that combines academic learning with practical workplace experience. Here's what you need to know:
- Standard: IfATE Level 5 People Professional Apprenticeship
- Duration: 21 months plus end-point assessment (EPA)
- Qualification: CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
- Professional recognition: upon completion, Apprentices are eligible for CIPD Associate Member status
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education's (IfATE) apprenticeship standard which sets out the Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours for this programme can be found here.
Key Components
- Academic learning: this is the taught element, working towards the Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management; there are six modules, and each is assessed through one or two assignment
- Portfolio of evidence: this is the workplace element where evidence of competence and learning is demonstrated by covering the required grade descriptors; this is achieved by building a portfolio of work-based evidence which will act as a springboard to the professional discussion, and preparation towards the presentation and question session
- Professional development: focus on personal effectiveness and core management competencies
- End-point assessment: includes a review of the Apprentice's portfolio, a work-based project, and an interview
Your role as a Workplace Mentor is vital in guiding Apprentices through this journey, helping them bridge the gap between theory and practice, and supporting their professional growth.
We are here to support you in this important role. Explore the resources and guidance provided on this site to help you effectively mentor your PPA Apprentice and contribute to their success.
Meet the Team
At the heart of the People Professional Apprenticeship programme is a dedicated team of professionals committed to supporting both Mentors and Apprentices throughout their journey. Our team brings a wealth of experience, expertise, and passion for developing future People Professionals.
Mozi Fani
Email: M.F.Fani@exeter.ac.uk
Mozi's journey with the Business School commenced in 2023, where he assumed leading roles in the final modules of the Senior Leader Apprenticeship, Senior People Professional Apprenticeship, and Senior Leader Amazon programmes. His has a mixed background in both consultancy and academia.
Earning his PhD from Henley Business School, University of Reading, Mozi explored the realms of organizational dynamics. His PhD thesis delves into the psychological and ethical dimensions of new work practices through a psychoanalytic lens to interrogate the intricate interplay of subjective experiences within organizational contexts.
Mozi Fani - M.F.Fani@exeter.ac.uk- Read more about Mozi Here
Our Academic Mentors are dedicated to supporting Apprentices in navigating the apprenticeship components of the PPA programme. They play a crucial role in guiding Apprentices through the process of compiling their portfolio of evidence, which showcases their learning and development throughout the programme.
Academic Mentors work closely with Apprentices to ensure that they understand the requirements for their portfolios, helping them to document their experiences, reflect on their learning, and demonstrate the competencies gained in the workplace. By providing ongoing support and feedback, our Academic Mentors empower Apprentices to effectively articulate their achievements and prepare for their end-point assessment (EPA). Their focus on practical application and real-world experiences is essential in helping Apprentices succeed in their management roles.
Academic Mentors
Lead Academic Mentor - Sarah Abbott - s.abbott@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Sarah Here
Marion Geare - M.J.Geare@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Marion Here
Sam Mullins - S.L.Mullins@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Sam Here
Open Cohorts
Education Support - business.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk
Peter Bragg – Partnership Development Manager - p.b.bragg@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Pete here
Closed Cohorts
Education Support - business.apprenticeships.support@exeter.ac.uk
Steve Smith – Partnership Development Manager - s.smith10@exeter.ac.uk | Read more about Steve here
Your Commitment Matters
Each member of our team is dedicated to ensuring that Mentors have the resources and support they need to guide Apprentices effectively. We believe that a strong Mentor-Apprentice relationship is key to the success of the People Professional programme, and we are here to help you every step of the way.
Feel free to contact us with questions, concerns, or for additional support. Together, we can make a significant impact on the professional growth of our apprentices.
Key Information and Events
Staying informed about important dates and events is crucial for effectively supporting your Apprentice throughout their People Professional apprenticeship journey. Below are the key milestones and events for the current academic year. Please note that specific dates may vary slightly for individual apprentices based on their start date.
Initial Contact and Meeting
Shortly after the Apprentice's induction, the Academic Mentor will contact you as the Workplace Mentor to arrange an initial meeting with you. While this meeting is not compulsory, it is highly recommended as it provides an excellent opportunity to establish a strong foundation for the apprenticeship journey.
This initial meeting allows all parties to:
- Introduce themselves and clarify their roles
- Discuss expectations for the apprenticeship
- Address any initial questions or concerns
- Begin building a collaborative relationship
As a Workplace Mentor, your role in supporting your Apprentice's development is crucial. There may be times when concerns arise about an Apprentice's performance or progress. It's important to address these issues promptly and effectively to ensure the best possible outcome for the Apprentice and the apprenticeship programme.
Recognising Performance Challenges
When an apprentice is struggling, the Academic Mentor (AM) will typically notify you via email as part of the escalation process. This communication will outline the specific concerns regarding the apprentice's performance, such as:
- Consistently missing deadlines
- Poor quality of work
- Lack of engagement in learning activities
- Failure to meet Off-The-Job training requirements
- Difficulties in applying learning to workplace tasks
Your Role in Addressing Concerns
Upon receiving notification from the AM regarding performance challenges, your first step should be to meet with the apprentice to discuss the issues raised. Here’s how to approach this:
- Arrange a meeting: Schedule a private meeting with your apprentice to discuss the concerns outlined in the AM's email.
- Ascertain the problem: Use this opportunity to understand the extent of the problem. Encourage your apprentice to share their perspective and any challenges they may be facing.
- Explore solutions: Collaborate with your apprentice to identify potential solutions or strategies to address the identified challenges.
- Create an action plan: Work together to develop a clear, achievable action plan that includes specific goals and timelines for improvement.
- Follow up: Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide ongoing support as needed.
- Document the process: Keep records of your meetings, the agreed-upon actions, and the apprentice's progress.
Seeking Additional Support
If you need clarification or further assistance:
- Consult with the Academic Mentor: if you have questions about the situation or need more information about the apprenticeship requirements, reach out to the Academic Mentor for guidance
- Escalation process: if the performance issues persist despite your interventions, or if you encounter a problem that you feel unable to resolve, inform the Academic Mentor
Preventive Measures
To help prevent performance issues:
- Maintain regular check-ins with your apprentice, such as weekly or bi-weekly meetings
- Provide timely feedback on their work and progress
- Ensure they have adequate time and resources for their OTJ training
- Encourage open communication about any challenges they're facing
Remember, your primary role in addressing concerns is to support your Apprentice's success in the programme. By taking a proactive, supportive approach and addressing issues early, you can help your Apprentice overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.
- Workplace Mentor training session to be confirmed
Contact us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us. I look forward to hearing from you!
Sarah Abbot
Lead Academic Mentor
Email: s.abbott@exeter.ac.uk
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Sarah Abbott
Email: s.abbott@exeter.ac.uk
As the Lead Academic Mentor for the PP programme, Sarah oversees the academic support provided to apprentices and mentors alike. Sarah serves as the primary point of contact for apprenticeship and portfolio enquiries and works closely with the entire mentoring team to align academic learning with workplace experiences.
Sarah joined the University of Exeter Business School in July 2024, but prior to this was a senior leader for an independent training provider specialising in apprenticeships. Before joining the education sector, Sarah held various leadership and management roles within the private sector.
Marion Geare
Email: M.J.Geare@exeter.ac.uk
Marion joined the University of Exeter as an Academic Mentor in May 2024 following a successful career spanning almost 30 years in HR. She has worked at both operational and strategic levels for large public sector organisations. Her career has focused on supporting people to grow, develop and perform through the implementation of organisational workforce strategies which meet the changing needs of the business. She has worked with organisations to achieve and maintain the Investors in People standard and through her HR roles has been involved in performance, learning and development, apprenticeships, reward, strategy, employee relations, leadership learning, strategic recruitment and retention, workforce planning, coaching, mentoring, and facilitating.
Marion began her coaching and mentoring journey in 2007. She has delivered workplace coaching to many individuals, supporting their development as stand-alone interventions and through leadership development programmes as well as developing a coaching network and coaching culture in her previous role.
Sam Mullins
Email: S.L.Mullins@exeter.ac.uk
Sam joined the University of Exeter as an Academic Mentor in 2023. Prior to this she held HR roles at a senior level across a range of industries within the public and private sector. During her career, she has worked directly for regional, national and global companies including Devon County Council, Marconi, Boots UK Ltd, Computershare, and Millennium and Copthorne hotels.
In April 2023, alongside her role as an Academic Mentor, Sam followed her dreams and started her own people and culture consultancy called Latitude HR. This enables her to focus on her areas of specialism which include organisational change, leadership learning, strategic recruitment, workforce planning, coaching, mentoring and facilitating.
Sam’s first love is Psychology, which she studied at the University of Exeter, and she has continued to develop her knowledge in this field and apply it in the workplace. Sam has continued to develop herself during her career and completed her MA part-time whilst working and living in London.
Pete Bragg
Email: p.b.bragg@exeter.ac.uk
Peter is an Employer Partnership Manager responsible for supporting organisations with onboarding prospective Apprentices from the initial marketing stage through to contracting and providing progress reports. He works closely with the academic and administrative support team to provide employer partners with a smooth apprenticeship experience.
Steve Smith
Email: s.smith10@exeter.ac.uk
Steve is responsible for supporting organisations with onboarding prospective Apprentices from the initial marketing stage through to contracting and providing progress reports. He works closely with the academic and administrative support team to provide employer partners with a smooth apprenticeship experience.
