Conceptualising a model for provider-employer collaborations in quantity surveying degree apprenticeship programmes

Purpose: With increasing demand to enhance collaborative practices in Degree Apprenticeship (DA) programmes like Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeships (QSDA), there is a notable lack of models supporting employer engagement, particularly in curriculum design and delivery. This study aims to fill this gap.

 Design/methodology/approach: A qualitative research approach was employed, utilising semi-structured interviews, focus groups and questionnaires to gather stakeholder perspectives involved in QSDA programmes in England. This process aimed to identify key practice areas, collaboration process and enablers needed to conceptualise a collaborative model for employer engagement in QSDA curriculum design and delivery.

 Findings: The model highlights four collaborative stages, four practice areas, fourteen focus actions, and twelve enablers essential for provider-employer collaborations in QSDA curriculum design and delivery.

 Originality/value: This study introduces a novel curriculum design model emphasising the collaboration process and enablers for provider-employer engagement. It offers new insights for QSDA programme curriculum development and is the first to address this area, contributing to the literature on Degree Apprenticeships in built environment education.