What is a Degree Apprenticeship?

A degree apprenticeship combines a full-time job role with study towards a degree qualification. For employers, this means hiring an employee that is released for 20% off-the-job training (either one day per week or block release). The apprentice will study a degree relative to their role and this generally takes 1-6 years to complete depending on the sector, role and company. In essence, they would be a full-time employee, just gaining a degree simultaneously!

How Degree Apprenticeships Help Employers

Employers across the country are embracing the importance and positive effect a degree apprentice can have for them and the business. Someone who is willing to learn both on the job and in the classroom shows natural ability and a drive to succeed, which is valuable. The opportunity for an apprentice to apply academic knowledge in real-life situations almost immediately aids their development and increases the rate of learning for the apprentice.

This is also beneficial as the issue of the skills gap is addressed during the learning phase. A degree apprentice is gaining work experience whilst learning, allowing the skills gap to be closed during the initial learning stage. Therefore, they have the degree-level education and academic knowledge, but also the practical requirement for the role itself.

Key Benefits for the Employer

1. Apprenticeship Levy

For an employer, hiring degree apprentices allows you to use your levy funds. If you are an employer whom is a levy-paying member, you can use your payments for training and assessment in the highest-funding band.

2. Return on Investment

The potential return on investment for a degree apprentice is also high. Hiring a young person asa degree apprentice who will continue to learn and develop as they earn, can become extremely valuable to your company; by the time they’ve completed their university degree, they’ll already have a few years of work experience under their belt too. You can steer their training and development so that it is specific to your company, enabling you to develop a skilled workforce that will help your company to grow.

3. Aiding Career Development

Furthermore, the opportunity to allow current employees to gain a degree apprenticeship is an excellent way to aid their career development. Adding to this, instead of having to go through the sometimes lengthy and expensive recruitment process, up-skilling current employees is incredibly beneficial for you as an employer.

4. Diversity of Training

Another benefit is the diversity of training that the apprentice will receive. For example; they may receive training from an experienced member of the company during working hours whilst simultaneously learning new or evolved ideas during their study time, such as during university lectures. This gives them a wider understanding of methods, what works best, as well as allowing them to evaluate and develop key decision-making skills.
You could also ask the degree apprentice for suggestions, which will not only make them feel valued, but will also help you to see the business from a different perspective.

Career Progression for Degree Apprentices

With many employers looking for experience to go along with the qualifications to prove capability, degree apprentices are already in good stead for the future. Completing university and gaining a degree whilst working and gaining experience shows that the apprentice is equipped and competent to deal with any situation. As an employer, you want someone who is reliable, has experience and ultimately knows what they’re doing. An apprentice has both on-the-job skills and academic intelligence, paired with the work ethic to succeed. Therefore, they can bring an abundance of benefits to your business.