The University of Sheffield has been delivering apprenticeships for more than a decade, supporting learners across advanced manufacturing and allied health professions from Level 3 through to Level 7.

A significant part of this activity takes place within the University’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC), a world‑leading research and innovation centre that works with manufacturing organisations to advance productivity, develop new technologies, and drive industrial innovation. 

As apprenticeship programmes expanded and learner demographics evolved, the University recognised the need to strengthen how it used its learner management and ePortfolio system. To better support applicants, apprentices, and staff, it became essential to move beyond basic administration and unlock more of the system’s capability. 

Over the last 12 months, the University has undertaken a major transformation, revisiting and expanding its use of MAYTAS. This work has reshaped internal processes, enhanced efficiency, and delivered a more streamlined and supportive learner journey.  

A Renewed Focus on Unlocking System Potential

Although MAYTAS had been in place since the early days of apprenticeship delivery at the University, its use had historically been limited to core functions such as ILR returns. That changed when the University began reassessing how the system could better support its growing apprenticeship operations. Anne (Head of Apprenticeship Compliance) describes how the team “realised… it had so much more potential and wanted to get far more out of it,” prompting a renewed effort to explore what MAYTAS could do beyond the basics, with the latest features and enhancements.  

This shift marked the beginning of a deeper, more collaborative partnership with Tribal, leading to what Anne calls “our best sort of partnership work,” as the University engaged Tribal for guidance, support, and new possibilities.  

Co‑operative Working and Embedded Support

Both Sarah (Management Information Analyst & Funding Officer) and Anne emphasise the value of working closely with Tribal’s teams to enable these improvements.  From report coding and custom filters to broader system optimisation, Tribal’s support has been “on hand at the drop of a hat,” helping the University navigate challenges and implement new functionality.  

This close working relationship is reflected in Anne’s description of the collaboration as a “real partnership,” noting that the Tribal team “understand who we are as a university and what we're trying to achieve.”  

Together, we have mapped out how the system can support future aspirations, with both teams recognising that recent progress represents just the beginning of what can be achieved. 

Looking Ahead: A Journey of Continuous Improvement 

For Sarah, the progress of the last year sets the stage for much more: “We’ve come so far, but we know there’s further that we can go, because MAYTAS will allow us to do that.”  

Anne shares this sense of forward momentum, describing the last 12 months as the strongest year of partnership to date and reflecting on the privilege of working so collaboratively toward shared goals.  

With continued interest in MAYTAS capabilities, strengthened partnership, and a growing focus on streamlining processes and improving learner experience, the University of Sheffield is continuing its journey toward more efficient, engaging, and high‑quality apprenticeship delivery, empowered by what MAYTAS is enabling today and what it promises for the future.