Committing to professional development with a global outlook
Walking through London in the early morning is always appealing, particularly when you walk through centuries of wonderful architecture and history, from the Tower of London to the Shard. And BPP Portsoken is at the heart of it.
A learning environment for all
BPP has a wow factor. It is an excellent environment, hosting both further and higher education and bringing together many professional education disciplines, from business, accountancy and digital to legal and healthcare. As Paul Bailey, the ETF’s Regional Head of Engagement for the South, East and London, and I meet with Nicki Hay (Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Policy), Nikki Botterill (Director of Apprenticeship Strategy and Operations), David Wooff (Director of Apprenticeship Quality and Regulation) and Shaun Donaghy (Director of Quality), we are immediately impressed by BPP’s agility and innovation. Through acquisitions, such as that of Firebrand Training, and international collaboration, BPP has strengthened its offer in the UK (across 15 locations) and further afield through its strong international profile.
CPD at the heart
The quality of professional development is at the heart of BPP’s DNA. All staff have opportunities for their development and career progression, living the institution’s strapline: ‘careers through education’.
BPP invests in its workforce development, offering CPD days and in-house tutoring and coaching, and supporting professional body subscriptions and staff’s non-executive experience as external examiners, trustees or Ofsted inspectors. Staff sit on panels, trailblazer groups, and build peer networks, raising the profile of the sector.
Leading by innovative example
As we shift our attention to apprenticeships, I note a level of passion and commitment to this agenda. And yet there are still a number of challenges, from funding with inflation increasing to staffing challenges where retention within the first two years seems to be the hardest. We discuss how we can think more creatively to attract the best trainers, coaches and tutors and we agree how strong links with employers, including secondments, could be part of the solution.
Paul and I leave BPP enthused by their commitment to professional development and quality that is matched by a strong global profile. There is clearly a lot to learn from a provider seeking constantly to innovate.