A new approach to Higher Apprenticeships

1 May 2012

Conor Moss, Head of Learning Solutions & Director of Higher Apprenticeships at the University of Derby Corporate (UDC), on a new approach to Higher Apprenticeships.

There is cross-party consensus in Britain that increasing the number of apprenticeships is an important way of dealing with the country's deficit in intermediate skills.

Traditionally apprenticeships have helped businesses across many sectors by offering an opportunity to harness fresh new talent, increasing employee retention and providing an alternative route from school to 'grow your own'. Apprenticeships have ensured that individuals gain the practical skills and qualifications organisations need now and in the future.

Apprenticeships continue to deliver real returns on the bottom line through increased productivity, improved competitiveness and a committed and competent workforce. However, within a national context, where the number of apprentices are increasing and are set to do so further, only a small proportion of advanced apprentices (less than 5%) progress to Higher Apprenticeships (HA) and Higher Education (HE). This is in stark contrast to the 90% of A-level learners progressing to HE.

UDC, which has won awards for its work-based learning approach, wants to address the UK's ongoing need for higher level skills by encouraging more people to move onto Higher Apprenticeships (HAs) and other university-level qualifications, as well as improving the infrastructure and capacity that supports them. This in turn supports the Government's aspiration of making apprenticeships a 'gold standard' option for ambitious young people.

It's about challenging current thinking and building something that is transforming, transferable between companies and changes poor perceptions amongst employers and employees. It's about creating a framework which can be tailored quickly to any sector or employer, which should result in more higher apprenticeships being established and offered by employers. Our intention is to transform HAs into an equally recognised strand of Higher Education in their own right, sending people onto full professional status, Honours Degrees, Masters Programmes and beyond.

We also recognise that if there is to be step-change, the work-based trainers of these apprentices must experience higher-level learning. Only in this way will they fully develop the skills, expertise and knowledge needed to effectively teach and train others in the workplace, which is why UDC is planning to provide qualifications for work-based trainers and educators.

Find out more - contact Julie Harris on 01332 597859 or email j.harris@derby.ac.uk