Proposing a consortium-led financial services apprenticeship education framework

This paper proposes a process for enacting a financial services consortium-led apprenticeship education framework, underpinned by higher education and industry collaboration (HE-IC). While there is significant research in the areas of, HE-IC and apprenticeship education programmes, there is a lack of research combining these areas as a mechanism for facilitating a consortium-led financial services apprenticeship education framework. Underpinned by boundary organisation theory, the research questions ask: what is the process for developing, implementing and enacting a higher education financial services apprenticeship education framework? and, how can this framework serve as a mechanism for higher education institute and industry collaboration? Insights from apprenticeship education, higher education and industry collaboration literature informs the empirical research. A single interpretive case study explores the creation of an International Financial Services suite of apprenticeship education programmes in Ireland and captures subjective and contextual experience of apprenticeship consortium members and policy stakeholders. Findings suggest that HE-IC is key to achieving employer-led apprenticeship education programme success. A research-informed framework provides greater insight into creating a process for enacting an apprenticeship education framework as a mechanism for facilitating broader HE-IC, thereby extending boundary organisation theory.