Aaron’s Story: Third time lucky!

“I had decided that fate didn’t want me to go to university!”
This was how Aaron Oreschnick felt, before the innovative engagement between Manchester Metropolitan University and his employer set him on a path not only to a degree, but to career success, national awards and even advising government.

“I always wanted to go to university and had actually tried twice before. I originally enrolled straight out of school but had to drop out after being hospitalised with severe glandular fever. Then, I moved to Edinburgh but was forced to leave again after being involved in a serious car accident. It was such bad luck and, unfortunately, I decided I just couldn’t afford to keep trying so I gave up hope and chose to go get a job in hospitality ”

“Five years later, I couldn’t believe it when my employer, Pizza Hut Restaurants, launched their Degree Apprenticeship programme with Manchester Met. It was the perfect opportunity to get the best of both worlds, allowing me to return to education and study for a BA (Hons) Business Management degree that will benefit my job and future career.”

Aaron went on to excel as a Degree Apprentice, gaining promotions at work while achieving fantastic grades in the classroom. During his studies he was singled out for special commendation at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2019 and to win an “Apprenticeship Champion of the Year” award. He was even invited to Parliament to meet with the Chair of the Education Select Committee, Robert Halfon MP and to give evidence to the Committee in its hearings.

Aaron set out his goals when he stated the programme, “I’ve always wanted to run my own restaurant and the graduate apprenticeship allows me to get one step closer to that dream” – and he was right, as Aaron is now a proud graduate, a Charted Manager, a leadership trainer for his employer and, yes, running his own restaurant.

1. Successful engagement means designing the university approach from the outside in, rather than the inside out – start with what the partners’ want and need not with existing structures, processes or silos
2. Senior support is vital – trying to do things differently in a university can be tricky and senior support is a key ingredient in overcoming those barriers
3. Honest feedback should be welcomed – business partners are our greatest advocates but also aren’t shy about letting us know when things go wrong!
4. If you are going to do it, do it properly – design what’s right for your strategy and your partners, not what’s easy or what you’ve done before

Over the next four years, we aim to build on our role as a leading university for Degree Apprenticeships in the UK, to grow our numbers by 50% and to leverage our position to do more good for our sector, stakeholders, employees, communities, the broader public and our planet.
Our vision for Degree Apprenticeships is one of: “Inclusive growth, enhanced quality: By 2026 our university will have leveraged and maintained its position as the leading provider of Degree Apprenticeships in the UK, embedded watertight quality systems as a foundation for future growth, and enhanced its triple bottom line impact on the economy, social mobility and sustainability.”
In order to achieve this, we have four strategic themes and action areas.

1. Quality:
o Maintain student and employer success and satisfaction levels o Acheive Ofsted grade 2 or higher o Maintain ESFA compliance

2. Strategic Growth:
o Values-led development
o Programme growth in line with university priorities and priority partners COVID recovery
o Enhance support and impact across wider university strategic aims

3. Triple Bottom Line:
o Track and enhance the economic impacts for apprentices and employers o Track and expand the support for social mobility o Continue to develop an engaged and motivated workforce
o Support the development and inclusion of green tech and socially responsible DAs

4. Advocacy:
o National and international thought leadership o Remain a 'brand ambassador' o Lead core international network o Expand partners via reports, PR, events, projects and speaking engagements o Develop research collaborations