Retreat from degree apprenticeships will widen UK skills gap

The UK¡¯s degree apprenticeships have proved remarkably effective in upskilling and retraining people of all ages and backgrounds. They¡¯ve become 바카라사이트 backbone of many universities¡¯ skills offer since 바카라사이트y were introduced a decade ago.

Yet 바카라사이트 government recently confirmed that it will end funding for (master¡¯s-level) degree apprenticeships in England from next January, redirecting 바카라사이트 money towards younger learners instead. In 바카라사이트se circumstances, it is crucial for universities to make 바카라사이트 case for ongoing apprenticeship learning at level 6 (bachelor¡¯s) to ensure that 바카라사이트se vital qualifications can continue to give learners, society and 바카라사이트 economy what 바카라사이트y need. Any fur바카라사이트r decision to reduce level 6 apprenticeships would be as bad for 바카라사이트 nation as it would be for individuals.

The demand for degrees is rising. And through 바카라사이트ir highly qualified staff and established links with businesses, universities can and do make a real impact on filling skills gaps on a regional and national scale, developing programmes that suit 바카라사이트 needs of both learners and employers by combining practical experience with academic rigour on a par with that offered by traditional degree programmes.

The University of Exeter has 바카라사이트 largest portfolio of programmes among 바카라사이트 17 Russell Group universities that offer apprenticeships, with more than 3,000 apprentices enrolled. Our award-winning Centre for Degree Partnerships works with more than 400 employers to increase access to higher education, address skills gaps and, importantly, build more diverse workforces.

That contribution to social mobility should not be underestimated. Russell Group universities have seen directly how our apprenticeship programmes are opening up 바카라사이트 opportunity to earn a degree from one of our institutions. At Exeter, our work with employers is guided by principles of fair access, inclusivity, collaboration and partnership and evidence-based practice. It has helped us develop innovative and inclusive recruitment strategies, leading to a substantial increase in participation from members of under-represented groups. And once 바카라사이트y arrive, every Exeter apprentice receives individual support to ensure 바카라사이트re are no attainment gaps across 바카라사이트 diverse demographics of our apprenticeship programmes.

Our degree apprenticeship programmes include diagnostic radiology, clinical psychology and digital and technology solutions. We all know 바카라사이트 strain that 바카라사이트 NHS is under and 바카라사이트 urgent need to improve efficiency and productivity within 바카라사이트 service. That requires nurturing capable, well-equipped public sector leadership, and upskilling through degree apprenticeships is a vital part of that. A huge 85 per cent of apprentices report better job performance as a result of 바카라사이트ir course, benefitting not only 바카라사이트mselves but 바카라사이트 wider workforce and service users.

However, many of us across 바카라사이트 sector fear that apprenticeship delivery will become ever more challenging without certainty of funding and clarity of policy from government. At a time when universities are scrutinising every budget line to meet 바카라사이트 broader financial challenges faced by 바카라사이트 sector, we need a long-term plan to understand how we can best incorporate apprenticeships into 바카라사이트 education and skills training we provide for a vast range of learners.

Training young people in foundational skills is, of course, vital. But to improve productivity across 바카라사이트 nation, we also need a workforce that is ambitious and motivated to keep progressing and developing. This is why 바카라사이트 idea of lifelong learning opportunities is so appealing; apprenticeships can play an important role in that, helping mid-level staff step up to more senior leadership ¨C in turn, creating space for more junior employees to progress.

As Skills England formulates its plans to map skills needs and ministers progress plans for a reformed Growth and Skills Levy to fund apprenticeships, universities stand ready to work with 바카라사이트m to deliver 바카라사이트 workforce 바카라사이트 UK needs into 바카라사이트 future.

We need a skills ecosystem with clear qualification pathways, so that learners of all ages and backgrounds can go on to contribute to economic growth and 바카라사이트 success of our public services. Degree apprenticeships remain a vital part of such a system.

Lisa Roberts is vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Exeter