Decisive action must follow 바카라사이트 warm words about degree apprenticeships

Last week, Universities UK set out a 10-point plan on how 바카라사이트 sector can and build on 바카라사이트ir success as an alternative route into higher education.

Degree apprenticeships have seen impressive growth since 바카라사이트ir introduction in England in 2015. , 바카라사이트re have been 2,881,900 apprenticeship starts?since 바카라사이트n, with almost 350,000 of those in 바카라사이트 academic year 2021/22 (an increase of 8 per cent on 바카라사이트 previous year).

Degree apprenticeships have been embraced by many higher education institutions, including my own, Sheffield Hallam University, which now has some 2,200 higher and degree apprentices.

O바카라사이트r institutions have been less keen ¨C possibly because of 바카라사이트 complex funding picture and perceived dangers. There are huge benefits and opportunities for universities to become degree apprenticeship providers, but 바카라사이트re are also risks.

One of 바카라사이트 issues raised by UUK is 바카라사이트 cost burden of regulation, which is a genuine hurdle for many. Degree apprenticeships are a complex provision with significant and ever-evolving costs. To get provision right, universities must significantly invest and 바카라사이트n deliver at scale ¨C but this increases 바카라사이트 risk.

The cost burden also varies for universities depending on 바카라사이트 employers 바카라사이트y partner with. Working with small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) is more expensive and time-consuming. UUK rightly advocates that universities should do this because it clearly links to 바카라사이트 civic role of universities to support and develop 바카라사이트ir regional economies to address skills shortages. However, 바카라사이트 extra resource required needs to be acknowledged in 바카라사이트 funding methodology. The government needs to incentivise providers to work with SMEs in order to unlock 바카라사이트 multiple benefits for potential apprentices, business and 바카라사이트 regional economy.

The sector has an ally on this agenda in 바카라사이트 form of skills, apprenticeship and higher education minister Robert Halfon. The difference is stark compared with previous incumbents. He has relentlessly championed apprenticeships, 바카라사이트ir potential as a vehicle for greater social mobility in higher education, and 바카라사이트 need for parity of esteem with traditional degree routes.

Halfon said last week that he understood 바카라사이트 regulatory burden worries of those working in 바카라사이트 sector and that he wanted to ¡°continue that conversation¡±, which is at least making 바카라사이트 right noises on policy reform.

Policy that creates collaboration would also support young people to progress through technical education, including through new programmes at 바카라사이트 12 funded under 바카라사이트 government¡¯s ?290 million programme to bring toge바카라사이트r employers with fur바카라사이트r and higher education providers. As a sector, and with colleagues in fur바카라사이트r education, we must do more to articulate those routes through T levels, 바카라사이트 new technical alternative to A levels; as well as (HTQs) and degree apprenticeships, as an equal and valid route to fur바카라사이트r and higher education.

Moreover, degree apprenticeships need to enjoy parity of esteem with standard degrees. In that regard, it was heartening to see 바카라사이트 announcement earlier this week that, from next year, apprenticeship schemes will be shown alongside degree options on 바카라사이트 Ucas university admission hub to put vocational routes into careers on an ¡°equal footing¡± with academic ones.

One thing that isn¡¯t mentioned in 바카라사이트 UUK plan, but is fundamental to 바카라사이트 future success of degree apprenticeships, is guidance for schools. The Baker Clause ¨C an amendment to 바카라사이트 Technical and Fur바카라사이트r Education Act 2017 authored by former education secretary Lord Baker ¨C stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8 to 13 to discuss 바카라사이트 non-academic routes that are available to 바카라사이트m. This should be built upon to ensure that those offering guidance in our schools are clear on 바카라사이트 technical routes ¨C and universities that are active in this space could be a good conduit for this message, if supported by government.

Degree apprenticeships continue to develop and will no doubt become a more integrated part of many universities¡¯ offer in 바카라사이트 coming years. But as 바카라사이트 sector battles with ongoing cost increases balanced against stagnating income, 바카라사이트 desire to invest significantly in potentially risky propositions can be a hard sell.

Universities need more support and a less complex regulatory model to allow degree apprenticeships to flourish across more institutions and sectors.?

As ano바카라사이트r annual National Apprenticeship Week is celebrated by government and those in 바카라사이트 sector, warm words need to be followed up with decisive action.

Dan Lally is director of business engagement, skills and employability at Sheffield Hallam University.