Dear David,
Assume you have come across Knowledge Transfer Partnerships ? Whilst not
really apprenticeships, they do provide an avenue for a mutually benefit
partnership between creative business, student / apprentice and educational
institution. See link below:
http://www.ktponline.org.uk/how-does-ktp-work
Our own experience has been mixed in that we regularly employ shop floor
apprentices, (4 or 5 per year), and have nurtured some really good people.
We struggle to make a scheme work within the design side of our company.
There is often a resistance amongst the more senior creative staff to take
on less experienced individuals, usually concerned that they will struggle
to devote sufficient time for training or that the individual will be months
/ years away from making significant contribution.
I have a younger half sister who is mid way through a Textiles and Design
course at Loughborough and is working hard at a 1 year placement for no pay
-pretty tough although good experience. Her boyfriend is a product design
student who is also on placement and has been able to gain a paid position
and great live experience. I understand that many of their friends have
struggled to find any placements at all, even without pay. Assume your
experience is similar.
Speaking as somebody who has worked in 3D design and manufacturing industry
for 20 years, I can see only good coming from Creative orientated
apprenticeships. The concern is probably that companies are enjoying mixed
fortunes at present and are very much focused on fee earners and reluctant
to carry trainees. A real shame and arguably short sighted, although must
confess to have being unsuccessful in persuading managers to take on younger
staff.
We are often contacted by local colleges and government run agencies, asking
that we consider administrative apprentices (we have one in our finance
department) but not within the design arena.
All the best,
Mark
Mark Ransom
Chairman
ANTONE
-----Original Message-----
From: PhD-Design - This list is for discussion of PhD studies and related
research in Design [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of David
Balkwill
Sent: 01 February 2012 14:56
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Apprenticeships
Dear all,
This is a rather pragmatic question, some way away from most of the
discussions on this list, but I'm sure you'll forgive me.
What does anyone know about the use of apprentice schemes in design
education?
I'm primarily interested in product design, but other areas may have
interesting examples.
I know about the French set up based initially on their BTS exams, but who
else is working on this?
I suppose that a secondary question might look at what anyone thinks about
these schemes?
Looking forward to your input.
Regards
David
"Before acting on this email or opening any attachments you should read the
Manchester Metropolitan University email disclaimer available on its website
http://www.mmu.ac.uk/emaildisclaimer "
|