10 ways we can boost degree apprenticeships

Since degree apprenticeships were introduced in England in 2015 (with equivalents in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland), we’ve encouraged universities in England to work closely with employers to grow degree apprenticeships.

But we want to work with the UK Government to do more with degree apprenticeships in England. This means:

• reforming and simplifying the way degree apprenticeships are regulated, so that it’s efficient and fit for purpose
• refreshing promotion of degree apprenticeships, advice and guidance to employers and learners, especially targeting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)
• ensuring that there are enough resources and support to guarantee the future success and growth of degree apprenticeships

Degree apprenticeships offer the ideal combination of paid work and achieving a degree.

They give increased opportunities, especially for those who might not choose a traditional undergraduate degree and those who want to reskill in the workplace. They’ve helped employers meet needs for skilled employees, and have deepened links between universities and employers.

We’ve seen an impressive growth in the numbers of degree apprenticeships, but we want to work with the government, agencies such as the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) and Ofsted, colleges, and employers to grow degree apprenticeships across the country.

Our 10-point plan is a starting point for how we can work together to grow degree apprenticeships.

1. Re-open the register of apprenticeship training providers

Universities have demonstrated that they provide high quality apprenticeships that are highly rated by apprentices. We need to get more universities delivering them.

The government should re-open the register, so that universities that are new to degree apprenticeships can take the first step to be able to deliver them.

2. Boost courses that aren’t recruiting enough apprentices  

The government should work with IfATE, panels of industry experts and universities to identify where degree apprenticeships aren’t recruiting enough apprentices. They should identify the problems and address them in partnership with universities and employers.

3. Develop new degree apprenticeships

Some sectors are lagging behind in developing degree apprenticeships. The government should work with IfATE, their panels of industry experts and different sectors to promote the value of degree apprenticeships and help them engage with developing new apprenticeships.

There are also existing level 6 and 7 apprenticeships that aren’t degree apprenticeships. The government and IfATE should encourage them to work with universities to become degree apprenticeships.

4. Review the costs and burden of regulation

The scale, complexity and high cost of how degree apprenticeships are regulated creates a potential barrier to entry. There’s an absolute need for clear and effective regulation and accountability. But it needs to be fit for purpose, and appropriate for the range of universities and other providers now delivering apprenticeships.

5. Support all universities to deliver degree apprenticeships to SMEs

Degree apprenticeships provide a great  opportunity to support SME growth and success across the country, but numbers are low.

The government should review the provision of degree apprenticeships to SMEs, and help universities and SMEs to work together to increase the number of degree apprenticeships. It should identify policy changes, investment and interventions where needed.

6. Make it easier for universities to engage with SMEs

The government should support greater adoption of the flexible apprenticeship model and the potential for using apprenticeship training agencies to support SMEs to recruit degree apprenticeships.

As degree apprenticeships are three-year programmes, compared to shorter level 2 and 3 apprenticeship programmes, this will de-risk the longer time commitment for SMEs and potentially guarantee stable employment and support for apprentices.

7. Consider place-based approaches

In our recent report, Our universities: generating growth and opportunity, we asked the government to support setting up enterprise and opportunity hubs.

These would be ideal hubs for providing flexible degree apprenticeships, particularly for SMEs, in areas where there are low numbers of apprentices.

8. Ensure clear and effective progression pathways to degree apprenticeships

It needs to be clear for apprentices how they can progress between different apprenticeships and different levels. We should encourage apprentices at level 2 and 3, and learners studying T-levels and Higher Technical Qualifications, to progress to degree apprenticeships.

The government and IfATE should commit to working with universities, further education colleges and other providers to ensure that there are clear and supported progression pathways for apprentices and other learners.

9. Embed partnerships between the higher education and further education sectors in local skills strategies

The government’s local skills improvement plans should engage both the higher education and further education sectors to develop ambitious plans for apprentice provision with local employers.

10. Maximise the potential for degree apprenticeships to widen the talent pool for employers

Degree apprenticeships will produce talented graduates – and these opportunities should be available to all.

We can work together to increase opportunities through a combination of:

• building on university access and participation plans
• the government including the need to widen participation in local skills improvement plans
• IfATE’s panels of industry experts embedding widening participation in their discussions on promoting degree apprenticeships
• the government giving clear guidance to employers on how they can use degree apprenticeships to reach out to new talent, and more information, advice and guidance to potential apprentices.