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Learning Partner Associates
What is a Learning Partner Associates programme?
The Learning Partner Associates (LPA) programme is a learning partnership between an organisation, an associate (typically a graduate) and an expert from CBM.
LPA programmes are designed to address a problem or step change within your organisation, whilst also providing the associate with a challenge. The programme must also require specific academic expertise that can be provided by a CBM expert.
The LPA programme will be discussed and agreed by your organisation and the CBM expert. The programme will be managed by CBM but it is essential that all partners take ownership of the programme and are committed to the concept of collaborative learning.
What can a Learning Partner Associates programme offer you?
The LPA programme aims to help organisations
- find innovative solutions to challenges
- explore the feasibility and potential of new opportunities
- build new knowledge, capability and competitive advantage
- access experts from the University who can provide specific expertise
- access recently qualified people to work on new projects
How does a Learning Partner Associates programme work?
The LPA programme is based on a six-month learning partnership, but longer or shorter programmes can be agreed. The recruitment of an associate for the programme will be organised by the University, but they will be selected jointly with your organisation. An associate is typically a graduate with previous work experience, and they would work full-time on the project either on your premises or at Sheffield Hallam University.
In addition to the associate, an expert from CBM will be available for the duration of the LPA programme to provide advice to both you and the associate, and they will also supervise the associate. The expert from CBM will spend approximately half a day a week working on the programme and progress review meetings involving all partners will be held periodically to ensure all parties are satisfied.
Eligibility
There are no eligibility restrictions on organisations participating in the LPA programme where the organisation bears the full cost.
Many projects will be eligible for grant funding provided by support agencies, charities, national and European governments. In these cases the grant funding will be subject to eligibility criteria.
A Learning Partnership Associates programme example
ABC are manufacturers of specialised giftware. Over a period of five years the company saw its export sales increase by 100 per cent. The company had grown largely by simply responding to ad hoc enquiries that came in from customers and potential distributors.
In discussion with a University expert, the company realised that there was a need to develop a more systematic approach to marketing its products internationally, particularly to the Middle East where there seemed to be considerable interest.
An LPA programme project was proposed and 50 per cent funding was secured from UK Trade and Industry under its Targeted Export Support Scheme.
A graduate was employed as an associate by the University for the six-month LPA programme and a University expert in international business provided advice.
By the end of the programme the company had a new, more proactive export strategy, had refocused the export department, and identified a small group of more strategically placed dynamic distributors, three of which had placed their first orders.
