Digital apprenticeship information series

Join The Open University for a series of four practical, bite-sized webinars designed to help employers navigate the world of digital apprenticeships and emerging technology.

Whether you are a small business owner looking to grow or a manager in a large organisation, these sessions provide the essential tools to build your digital capability and support your team.

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Wednesday 20th May, 10:00-11:00

15 minute presentation followed by an open Q&A session — you are welcome to attend for the first 15 minutes only

Whether you are developing early career talent or upskilling existing employees, this employer focused session will introduce Level 4 and Level 6 digital apprenticeships, the funding available, the opportunities for your organisation, and how you can support your local community.

We will cover the essential information needed to get an apprentice started with any provider, share an overview of The Open University’s apprenticeship offer, highlight stories from our apprentices, and provide plenty of time for your questions.

Register here

Who should attend?

This session is suitable for any employer, with specific information for owners and managers of small and medium sized businesses in England and Wales who:

Want to expand, develop, or retain key talent
Are interested in accessing government apprenticeship funding
Have a need to build digital capability within their organisation
Would like a clearer understanding of how apprenticeships work

Managers in larger organisations, especially those who directly line manage apprentices, would also find this session useful to:

Refresh their understanding of apprenticeship opportunities
Develop a wider understanding of apprenticeship provision

Wednesday 27th May, 13:00-14:00

15 minute presentation followed by an open Q&A session — you are welcome to attend for the first 15 minutes only

Generative AI (GenAI) tools are increasingly being used in everyday business practice — from drafting content to analysing data. However, their use raises important questions about data protection, confidentiality, and organisational risk.

This employer focused session will explore how GenAI intersects with UK data protection requirements, what employers need to think about before adopting these tools, and how to support staff to use AI responsibly and lawfully. We will share practical guidance, common pitfalls, and examples especially relevant to small and medium sized organisations who lack large scale capacity in this area.

Register here

Who should attend?

This session is particularly aimed at owners and managers of small and medium sized businesses in England and Wales who:

Are curious about using generative AI in their organisation
Handle personal, customer, or commercially sensitive data
Want to understand data protection risks and responsibilities
Need practical guidance rather than technical or legal theory

Managers in larger organisations, especially those who directly line manage apprentices and new starters, would also find this session useful to:

Consider Generative AI in their own practice
Support apprentices and new starters with ethical GenAI use

Wednesday 3rd June, 10:00-11:00

15 minute presentation followed by an open Q&A session — you are welcome to attend for the first 15 minutes only

Recruiting an apprentice can be a highly effective way to build skills and grow talent — but knowing where to start can feel daunting, particularly for small organisations.

This session will focus on the practicalities of recruiting and supporting a digital apprentice, including planning the role, navigating the recruitment process, and putting the right support structures in place once the apprentice starts. We will share examples of good practice from our current employers and discuss how to make apprenticeships work in small teams.

Register here

Who should attend?

This session is particularly aimed at owners and managers of small and medium sized businesses in England and Wales who:

Are considering recruiting their first apprentice
Want to understand employer responsibilities and expectations
Are unsure how to support an apprentice day to day
Would value practical advice grounded in real world experience

Managers in larger organisations, especially those who directly line manage apprentices, would also find this session useful to:

Refresh their understanding of apprenticeship opportunities
Develop a wider understanding of apprenticeship provision

Tuesday 9th June, 10:00-11:00

15 minute presentation followed by an open Q&A session — you are welcome to attend for the first 15 minutes only

Understanding how apprentices are taught can help employers better support learning in the workplace and gain more value from their investment. We will share stories from our apprentices showing the real impact they made during their apprenticeship.

This session provides a deeper look at our digital apprenticeship teaching approach, including the topics and technology we cover, how academic study integrates with workplace learning, how apprentices are assessed, and what good employer–provider–apprentice collaboration looks like in practice. It is an opportunity to see how learning is designed, delivered, and supported.

Register here