Purpose
To provide institutional oversight, assurance and strategic support for the effective development, delivery and enhancement of the University’s apprenticeships, collaborative partnerships, short courses and other skills-based provision, including shaping delivery models, approaches to quality assurance, and related institutional processes and procedures
Reporting relationship
1. Reports to the University Education Committee (UEC), Quality, Enhancement and Standards Committee (QESC) and the University Recruitment, Admissions and Targets Committee (URAT).
2. Formal reports will be submitted to QESC on an annual basis. Pipeline reporting will be submitted to URAT on a quarterly basis.
3. Receive updates from URAT, College Quality Assurance Committees and College Apprenticeship Committees on existing and emerging developments.
4. Receive reports from the Accreditation Committee of University College Birmingham until the arrangement is complete.
5. Receive updates from the PGA Steering Committee.
6. Complex or high-risk proposals, including those of strategic importance, and proposals for the withdrawal from and/or termination of arrangements, may be referred by the Committee to University Executive Board (UEB).
Terms of Reference (2026-27)
1. To have oversight of the University of Birmingham’s apprenticeships, collaborative partnerships and other skills-based provision, including credit-bearing, non-credit-bearing and micro-credential short course provision, and including, where relevant, transnational provision delivered with external partners.
2. To support the effective implementation of the University’s strategic priorities in relation to apprenticeships, collaborative provision, short courses and other skills-based provision, including by promoting coherent institutional approaches to delivery, governance and enhancement.
3. To monitor relevant external quality assurance requirements and regulatory guidance relating to collaborative partnerships, apprenticeships and other relevant provision, including compliance with OfS Conditions and other applicable regulatory requirements, and to ensure that developments align with the Birmingham 2030 Strategic Framework and, where relevant, the international strategy.
4. To receive, review and consider proposals for the development of collaborativeprovision, apprenticeship provision, and short course provision, including new proposals and modifications to existing programmes and modules, with due regard to institutional coherence, quality assurance requirements and effective delivery.
5. To oversee and provide assurance on University tender bids relating to skills-based course development, ensuring alignment with institutional priorities, governance requirements and delivery capacity.
6. To review and enhance the University’s policy framework, delivery models, processes and procedures relating to apprenticeships, collaborative partnerships, short course provision and other skills-based provision, recommending amendments where required.
7. To identify and review reputational, financial and other risks arising from the development of apprenticeships, short course provision and collaborative partnerships, and to ensure that such risks are appropriately managed and escalated.
8. To approve the method for reviews of collaborative partnership arrangements and to receive and consider review documentation for collaborative partnerships which are due to expire, approving any subsequent action, including the continuation, modification or termination of an arrangement.
9. To consider ethical issues arising from the nature and management of proposed collaborative partnership arrangements, and apprenticeships where applicable.
10. To receive proposals for the withdrawal from, termination of, or modification to apprenticeships and collaborative partnerships before the expiry of the relevant legal agreement, and to consider the implications of such changes.
11. To receive and consider data reports and other monitoring information relating to apprenticeships, collaborative partnership arrangements and short courses, including apprentice and employer numbers, breaks in learning, retention, success, satisfaction and annual programme review outcomes, and to use such information to ensure that issues of concern are followed through appropriately.
12. To receive an annual safeguarding report for apprenticeship provision.
Working arrangements
1. The Skills and Collaborative Partnerships Committee will meet five times per year. This will be reviewed as required.
2. Dates for meetings and a calendar of business will be confirmed at the beginning of the session. Should a member of the Committee be unable to attend or wish to withdraw, they must nominate a replacement with appropriate standing and have the Chair’s prior approval.
3. Committee papers, including minutes from the previous meetings and actions agreed, will be uploaded onto the Committee Teams site and circulated in advance of the next meeting.
4. Should any urgent decisions be required before the next meeting, the agreement of the Chair must be obtained.
Membership
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Chair: Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education Policy and Standards)
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Professor Michael Grove
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Secretary
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Sarah O’Donovan
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College Academic Lead
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Dr Richard North – College of Social Sciences
Dr Debbie Cunningham – College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Dr Matthew Francis – College of Arts and Law
Dr Sarah Conner – College of Medicine and Health
Prof Sam Cruchley – College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
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Academic Services representative
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Kelly Hamilton
Director of Registry and Education Support
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Director of Operations representative
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Dr Kate Bishop
Director of Operations
College of Medicine and Health
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International Partnerships
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Ailsa Chambers
Director of International Partnerships
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External Relations
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Dr Alaric Rae
Deputy Director of External Relations
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Strategic Planning
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Hayley Grey
College Planning Partner and Education Lead
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POD Skills Lead
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Lou Stringer
Apprenticeship Scheme Manager
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Apprenticeships and Partnerships
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Jade Adams
Head of Apprenticeships and Partnerships
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University of Birmingham Dubai
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Dr Roger Griffiths
Business Development Manager
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Digital Education
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Mark Hancock
Deputy Director of Digital Education
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Library Services
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Lisa Bird
Head of Copyright and Licensing
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IT Business Partnering
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Tara Lamplough
Head of IT Business Partnering
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Guild of Students
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Jacob Dyke
Education Officer
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Additional members will be invited, dependent on the calendar of business:
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Finance Office
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Finance Office representative from respective College when needed e.g. AiP approvals
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Legal Services
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Ed Butler
Deputy Director of Legal Services
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Student Recruitment
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Steve Allmark
Head of Student Recruitment
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Student Services
(Safeguarding)
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Jon Elsmore
Director of Student Services
Designated Safeguarding Lead
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Birmingham International Academy
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Prof Corrine Boz
Dean Birmingham International Academy
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Meeting dates 2026/27
- 24 September 2026
- 26 November 2026
- 4 March 2027
- 15 April 2027
- 24 June 2027
Papers are available from the Secretary at registry-collaborativepartnerships@contacts.bham.ac.uk