Amanda is a dedicated Apprenticeship professional with expertise focusing on Apprenticeship quality and regulation. A key focus throughout my career has been working in line with funding regulations to ensure effective management of funds alongside developing quality standards. My career to date has allowed me to develop a thorough understanding of Apprenticeship provision including both the ESFA regulations and Ofsted's Education Inspection framework. I have recent and detailed experience of supporting Liverpool Business School (LJMU) through an ESFA audit and Ofsted inspection. Within LJMU Business School I currently manage a range of level 6 and level 7 apprenticeship programmes to ensure End Point Assessment achievement, alongside supporting a team apprenticeship mentors through the tripartite and off the job process.
Thoughout my career I have provided consultancy support to over 300 SME's, supporting nascent female entrepreneurs to launch their successful businesses. I have also provided a range of consultancy support to high growth SME's in developing digital innovation and implementing emerging digital technology innovations within their businesses to achieve their goals. I have a MRES in Digital Innovation, and in combining my academic and practical skills I have published a range of academic conference papers and presentations that sit at the interface of Academic and Industry practice.
I previously secured an EPSRC funded place at Lancaster University to undertake a masters and a PhD. My PhD is focused on the fields of Gender, Entrepreneurship, Digital Technologies and Identity. I have a keen interest in the Identity management of women in small business ownership, their work life balance and motherhood. I have designed and completed numerous research projects using various research methods including interviews, focus groups, netnography and digital ethnography.
Degrees
2014, Lancaster University, United Kingdom, Masters in Research
2004, Liverpool John Moores University, United Kingdom, Degree
Lancaster University, United Kingdom, PhD
Certifications
2010, Small firms enterprise initative, Business advice and coaching
Academic appointments
Degree Apprenticeship facilitator, LJMU, 2020 - present
Other Professional Activity:
Member of Senior Leader Higher Apprenticeship Knowledge network. University of Vocational Awards. 2024
Conference presentation:
Tripartite reviews: Adding value beyond compliance., Chartered Association of Business Schools, Birmingham, Round table. 2024
Unexpected opportunities for women in business through the use of social networking sites.”, Gender Work and Orgainsation, Keele, Oral presentation. 2014
Evaluation of Female Entrepreneurs Perceptions of E-Business Technology in particular Social Networking (Facebook)”, Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Sheffield, Oral presentation. 2011
A Discussion of Business Start-up support provided through University Knowledge”., Institute of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Glasgow, Oral presentation. 2007