Learning in the workplace

We are experts in work-based learning: highly customised learning solutions that empower and drive high performance in individuals, leadership teams and organisations.

High impact learning and development

In our experience, work-based learning offers more value than traditional training programmes. With work-based learning, the workplace is the classroom and all learning is embedded in and through job roles and workplace activities.

This highly experiential and developmental approach offers a long-term strategic partnership including objective setting and evaluation measures. In short, we aim for transformational in-company learning for both the learner and the organisation, rather than transactional learning.

Our services

Work-based learning can take many forms. Click on each heading to find out more.

We design a wide range of flexible, customised awards to run over any period - from months to years. These are designed to meet the strategic needs of your business, whether that’s talent development, skills capability or business innovation issues. We will incorporate a variety of learning methods to suit your employees and your organisation.

Your programme can be an accredited university-level qualification or not, it’s up to you, but we do usually find that learners value accredited programmes more - mainly because the academic credits they gain are transferable.

These are customised undergraduate or postgraduate degrees designed to meet the specific needs of your organisation. The benefits are:

  • You can recruit non-graduates and offer them an immediate professional development opportunity
  • They offer good value because an existing degree, such as an MBA, is adapted for your organisation
  • Ideally, they should be used to address a strategic capability issue or form part of your talent development
  • They are focused on enhancing your employees’ performance within your business

We've developed a programme for tutors and trainers within companies, who are running or assisting with work-based learning programmes. The qualification, which is unique to the sector, helps them better understand work based learning at higher education level.

Read more about the Supporting Work-Based Learning qualification.

A train moving along a track

We chose to work with Derby because of their collaborative approach...we have always been completely satisfied with all aspects of delivery and the impact it has had on our business

Steve Simmonds
Operations Director, Alstom (formerly Signalling Solutions)

What makes work-based learning different?

We ensure our learning and development solutions deliver real impact for the organisation and its employees.

We do this by:

We measure success by:

Abstract shot of discussion in a classroom

Developing talent across the Wabtec UK Group

Wabtec is a manufacturing corporation that employs over 18,000 people. When it needed help to develop its rising talent across all five subsidiaries, it approached us.

Read Wabtec's storyRead Wabtec's story

Key contact

Your key contact for work-based learning is:

A head shot of Senior Leadership and Strategy Lecturer, Orla Kelleher standing by a bookshelf

Orla Kelleher
Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Strategy

Orla is a Senior Lecturer in Leadership and Strategy, who works in the Executive Education and Enterprise Development Department of the University's College of Business, Law and Social Sciences.

Email
o.kelleher@derby.ac.uk
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