Moves to downgrade degree apprenticeships could undermine the
development of the skills necessary for the UK economy to be
successful in future, warn university leaders.
The Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA) is considering removing
the degree element from the Digital & Technology Solutions
Professional (DTSP) Degree Apprenticeship currently offered by
employers and universities in many parts of the country. This
degree apprenticeship is helping to meet critical demand for
digital skills from employers, and the award of a degree is
important to apprentices because it gives them the same status in
the jobs market as graduates.
The IfA is also considering lowering the funding band for
universities for some degree apprenticeships including the DTSP,
below the actual cost to universities of delivering these
courses. This has already taken place with Chartered Manager
Degree Apprenticeships and could happen to others, meaning
universities cannot continue to provide the support and teaching
to maintain degree standards.
Universities UK, the collective voice for universities, is today
launching a project to map out the future vision for degree
apprenticeships, and to make recommendations for enhancing their
development and delivery.
Alistair Jarvis, Chief Executive of Universities
UK, is warning that removing the degree element from
these apprenticeships will make them less attractive to potential
applicants and employers: “Many universities want to be able to
expand the range of their degree apprenticeships. Instead of
looking to remove the degree element from these qualifications
and limiting their appeal, their growth should be encouraged. The
IfA should respect demand from employers and applicants for the
degree to remain part of these apprenticeships.
“The degree element gives degree apprentices parity with other
university students, it is a big attraction to applicants and a
mark of quality. We need a workforce with strong digital skills
if the government’s ambitions for digital clusters and its
industrial strategy are to be realised.”
Bob Clift, Director of Employer Relationships, Tech
Partnership Degrees, says degree apprenticeships are
important in meeting employers’ skills needs: “Since the first
Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship started
in 2015 employer investment in them, across all sectors, has
grown substantially and they are now integrated into their
recruitment programmes. This degree apprenticeship is helping
employers address critical digital skills needs and is having a
positive impact on skills retention, career progression, social
mobility and equity. Removing the degree from this apprenticeship
will lead to a reduction in numbers and negatively impact the
benefits employers have realised.”
ENDS
Notes
- The IfA’s
consultation on the future of Digital Technology Solutions
Professional (DTSP) Degree Apprenticeship can be found
here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/developing-new-apprenticeships/apprenticeship-standard-reviews/
- The IfA’s
recommendations on funding bands can be found
here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/about/news-events/funding-band-review/
- By
2030, it is estimated that there will be a UK talent deficit of
between 600,000 to 1.2 million workers for both our financial and
business sector, and technology, media and telecommunications
sector. For more information on how universities are essential to
the nation’s future economic prosperity, please read the recent
UUK report: ‘Solving future skills
challenges’
- The
Office for Students (OfS) estimates there are currently 515
Digital Technology Solutions Professional (DTSP) Degree
Apprenticeships and 595 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships.
The OfS has also argued for the inclusion of the degree element
to meet student need.
