Bold action is needed from government to
reform the degree apprenticeship system so many more people can become degree
apprentices, according to a major report published today by Universities UK.
The Future of Degree Apprenticeships
report shows that progress developing degree apprenticeships in England is
being held back by poor levels of awareness among school pupils, parents and
employers.
Today’s report reveals four out of every
five school pupils in Years 10 and 12 know little or nothing at all about the
application process for degree apprenticeships, and only 7% know about these
course structures. In focus groups, however, when parents and school pupils
discover more about them, they are enthusiastic.
The report shows all employers surveyed
want to offer degree apprenticeships to those from disadvantaged backgrounds
and to upskill their workforce.
In addition, the vast majority (89%) of
employers say that degree apprenticeships attract high calibre learners and
that degrees equip apprentices with the knowledge and skills needed in a
rapidly changing economy.
The report’s four main recommendations
are:
•
Government should lead a campaign to promote the benefits of degree
apprenticeships to employers and the public, including better careers
information and guidance at an earlier age in schools, and UCAS should make the
application system for degree apprenticeships as straightforward as it is for
undergraduate degrees.
•
Government should invest in initiatives to support social mobility, lifelong
learning, and the growth in degree apprenticeships among underrepresented
groups.
•
The system should develop to meet current and future demand for higher level
skills in areas such as digital technology, management, and public services,
and to boost regional economies.
•
Make it easier for employers to include a degree within their apprenticeships
where they see it adding value to their business and to their apprentices, and
the government should commit to streamlining processes and reducing unnecessary
costs in the system.
Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of
Universities UK, said
degree apprenticeships provide a golden opportunity to transform lives and to
meet future skills needs:
“Degree apprenticeships combine learning
in the work place with a high-quality education, allowing students to earn
while they learn. They are starting to have a significant impact on sectors
with skills shortages, such as digital technology, nursing, policing, and
teaching.
“The benefits of degree apprenticeships
to individuals, employers, the economy, and wider society are too great to keep
secret. Government must take the lead in promoting these and in reforming the
system so more people know about degree apprenticeships and can do them.
“There’s strong interest from employers
and universities in providing degree apprenticeships, but the levels of
bureaucracy in the current system don’t make this easy. It’s time to strip this
back and put the needs of employers at the heart of the degree apprenticeship
system.”
Rt Hon Robert Halfon MP, Chair of the
Education Select Committee,
said:
“Students of all backgrounds should be
encouraged to take degree apprenticeships, however my Committee’s report on
value for money in higher education found a woeful lack of careers advice and
awareness about the degree apprenticeship option. It’s high time the huge
benefits of degree apprenticeships were trumpeted in our schools and colleges
to ensure everyone hears of the opportunities available to gain high quality
teaching while earning as you learn. Both employers and universities are
beginning to see the benefits of developing degree apprenticeships and the
Government should make every effort to champion their expansion.”
Jenny Taylor, IBM UK Foundation Leader, said degree apprenticeships are
important to IBM:
“Degree apprenticeships offer a superb
new route into digital careers. Our business is dependent on the quality of our
workforce, and we put considerable energy into developing people to have the
right combination of skills for the work we do. Degree Apprenticeships are an
important way for us to attract and develop high quality entrants who have
future leadership potential.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
- There are currently more than 7,000 degree apprentices in England, with over 100 universities either ready to deliver or delivering degree apprenticeships.
- Degree apprenticeships combine vocational training with academic study, with degree apprentices receiving a salary for doing four days’ work with their employer and spending one day a week in university to gain a degree.
- Universities UK has spent several months talking to employers, degree apprentices, universities, potential applicants and their parents about how the current system could be improved. The views of 49 employers were obtained as part of this.
- The student and parent research in the report was undertaken by NEON (National Education Opportunities Network) on behalf of UUK. Focus groups were conducted separately for students in Year 10, and Year 12, and with parents of students in both. 747 students took part in the online survey. Overall, 207 students took part in 15 focus groups. 80 parents participated in the online survey, and 13 parents across three focus groups in the south west and south east.
- The apprenticeship levy is a UK-wide policy and apprenticeships are developing in different ways in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. There are new Graduate Apprenticeships in Scotland and Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in Wales. This report focuses on the specific development of Degree Apprenticeships in England.
- Universities UK is the collective voice of 136 universities in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Its mission is to create the conditions for UK universities to be the best in the world; maximising their positive impact locally, nationally and globally. Universities UK acts on behalf of universities, represented by their heads of institution. Visit: www.universitiesuk.ac.uk
