UK government can do more to boost degree apprenticeship programme

Andrew Church of Pinsent Masons said degree apprenticeships, which are the equivalent of a master's or bachelor's degree qualification, could “play a key role in plugging skills gaps and encouraging economic growth” and help HEIs “broaden their academic offering and strengthen their relationships with employers.” But Church said regulations needed to be streamlined, and funding rules simplified, to maximise the benefits of the qualifications.

First introduced in 2015, degree apprenticeships have seen more than 148,000 learners take up work in full-time jobs while studying at a partner university or training provider. Degree apprenticeship candidates must already have a level-3 qualification, like an advanced apprenticeship, A levels or an International Baccalaureate, and some programmes require further training.

Speaking to WonkHE earlier this week, minister for skills, apprenticeships and higher education Robert Halfon said the government was committed to expanding degree apprenticeships. “[Degree apprenticeships] can help students to climb the ladder of opportunity into good jobs, and they play a hugely important role in social mobility, helping people who might not normally go to university kickstart their career and get a degree without the debt,” Halfon said.

He added: “That is why we have made up to £8 million available to universities through the Strategic Priorities Grant to offer more degree apprenticeships. And I will continue to work with universities to ensure as many people as possible can benefit from them.” Reacting to Halfon’s comments, Church welcomed the additional funding but said regulatory reform was needed to increase the number of degree apprenticeship places on offer.

“HEIs that offer degree apprenticeships are required to abide by a unique regulatory system that increases the cost of engaging in the programmes, as well as the considerable administrative burden. At the same time, employers have to navigate complex apprenticeship funding rules. In an already-challenging funding environment, it is unsurprising that some universities and businesses might decide that the money could be used more effectively elsewhere,” Church said.

He pointed to a 10-point plan to boost degree apprenticeships published by Universities UK (UUK) earlier this week. The organisation urged the government to reduce the burden of regulation and review the provision of degree apprenticeships to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to help them work with HEIs to increase the number of degree apprenticeships. It added that ministers should collaborate with industry experts to develop new degree apprenticeships in sectors that are under-represented in the current programme.

Church said: “Among a number of very sensible suggestions, UUK also wants ministers to empower local authorities to include degree apprenticeships into their skills improvement plans and to strengthen the ties between local businesses and nearby HEIs. Indeed, the increased funding announced by Halfon could support the growth of degree apprenticeships if it was targeted in this area. Ultimately, it is encouraging to see so much positive engagement on the task of expanding the programme successfully in National Apprenticeship Week.”