Investing in apprenticeships will help you develop the high-calibre talent your business needs to thrive in the future. Degree apprenticeships, introduced in 2015, combine academic study and workplace learning to foster advanced skills and improve organisational performance and productivity.
Degree apprenticeships are provided by employers – such as Rolls-Royce and Network Rail – in partnership with universities in fields like law, accountancy, technology and many more. Apprentices spend at least 30 hours each week working for their employer, and 20% of their time learning off the job, studying for a fee-free degree, either at university, or through distance or blended learning. The employer pays the apprentice both a salary and the tuition fees.
Danielle Foster, an Open University (OU) management degree apprentice, who works as a telesales team leader for Brother UK, an office equipment supplier, views them as an attractive option: “The degree apprenticeship is a fantastic opportunity for me to enhance my skill set and become the best version of myself possible,” she says.
The OU is working with leading employers to provide a range of degree apprenticeships. The chartered manager degree apprenticeship is a hands-on, three- or four-year programme for future leaders. The digital and technology solutions apprenticeship lasts four years and develops digital skills, including cybersecurity. The higher apprenticeship in health lasts for up to three years and provides healthcare support workers with the knowledge and skills they need to become assistant practitioners.
The OU also has more degree apprenticeships in the pipeline, in nursing, policing, sports coaching, accountancy, and leadership and management.
OU apprentices study through a blend of online and face-to-face tuition. Students fit study in when it suits them and their employer – they can log on to webinars and online tutorials without having to physically visit a classroom. They split their time between training and working for their employer, applying what they’ve learned directly in the workplace.
Employers play a crucial role in the development and delivery of degree apprenticeships, which must meet quality standards and be approved by the government. There are 1,000 degree apprenticeships currently under way in England, that have been created alongside high-profile employers – Airbus, BMW, Barclays and others.
Travis Perkins, the builders’ merchant, is working with the OU to fast-track up to 20 talented managers into higher positions through degree apprenticeships. Louise Powell, head of skills development, says: “What we really love about the OU is their support: we are working with them to feed the apprenticeship programmes into our wider talent strategy; we want to develop the future regional directors of our business.”
As well as helping employers design a tailored talent pipeline, the OU provides workplace programmes to support apprentices throughout their education, says David Willett, director of corporate sales. “Apprentices are assigned a practice tutor who supports them in the workplace,” he says. “They also work with academic tutors who help apprentices as they study, with online guidance, tutorials and face-to-face meetings.
“Finally, delivery managers work with apprentices in the workplace, from their initial application all the way to graduation.”
With the OU, says Willett, employers receive the guidance they need – through an expert account management team, which also supports the apprentices, their line managers and any workplace mentors. This support means they can better tailor their apprenticeship programmes to meet their organisational needs and growth. “There is a real need to invest in the UK’s future workforce,” Willett says. “And apprentices can make a big impact on their organisations by increasing overall performance, productivity and profitability. There is a good return on investment – apprenticeships make good business sense.”
To find out more about OU degree apprenticeships, visit open.ac.uk/business/apprenticeships
