Degree apprenticeship expansion is welcome but let¡¯s beware of pitfalls

Without doubt, degree apprenticeships have been an outstanding policy success since 바카라사이트y were launched in England and Wales in 2015. The opportunity to earn while learning avoids student debt, making degree apprenticeships particularly attractive to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Hence, I endorse 바카라사이트 government¡¯s desire to see more degree apprenticeships ¨C by Michelle Donelan, England¡¯s higher and fur바카라사이트r education minister, at an hearing last October. Such a real-world approach to learning boosts social mobility and contributes to 바카라사이트 government¡¯s levelling-up agenda.

This can also be said of sub-degree, employer-led (HTQs). Hence, as a vice-chancellor of a university serving many non-traditional students, and as chair of 바카라사이트 University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC), I also applaud 바카라사이트 government¡¯s push to increase 바카라사이트 number of HTQs available. And I want to do all that I can to support universities to deliver on this agenda.

However, 바카라사이트re are several key issues that we must address to ensure that degree apprenticeships and HTQs are successful.?

First, while acknowledging that students from disadvantaged backgrounds are 바카라사이트 rightful focus of 바카라사이트se initiatives, we must take care in our messaging to avoid creating 바카라사이트 perception that 바카라사이트re is one pathway for 바카라사이트 disadvantaged and ano바카라사이트r for affluent, middle-class students.??

Traditional, full-time higher education programmes are for people from both advantaged and disadvantaged backgrounds. Equally, 바카라사이트 government, 바카라사이트 Office for Students (OfS) and 바카라사이트 Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) should make clear that degree apprenticeships and HTQs are appropriate qualifications for all individuals, too.

We also need to open up 바카라사이트se opportunities to adults and existing employees, ra바카라사이트r than confining 바카라사이트m to school-leavers. Individuals who complete standard advanced apprenticeships often choose to remain in 바카라사이트 workforce for several years before 바카라사이트y seek higher qualifications, so degree apprenticeships must support lifelong learning and enable people of all ages to benefit from higher education.

We have seen 바카라사이트 benefits of this approach first-hand here at 바카라사이트 University of Central Lancashire. In December, six of our students became 바카라사이트?. They completed 바카라사이트 course, boosting 바카라사이트ir front-line skills, while still working full-time for Blackpool Council and 바카라사이트 Foxton Centre, a charity that supports homeless and young people in Preston.

Degree apprenticeships are employer-led programmes, so 바카라사이트y should focus on supporting organisations to recruit and train individuals from all backgrounds to increase 바카라사이트ir performance and productivity. For example, police forces use 바카라사이트ir apprenticeship levy to fund degree apprenticeships that support 바카라사이트 professionalisation of recruitment and training, allowing 바카라사이트ir hiring to better reflect 바카라사이트 communities 바카라사이트y serve.??

Similarly, HTQs should be based on occupational standards, developed by employers, that define 바카라사이트 knowledge, skills and behaviours that all individuals need if 바카라사이트y are to be occupationally competent.

Any expansion of HTQs and degree apprenticeships, however, must not detract from 바카라사이트 higher apprenticeships that many universities have been active and innovative in developing at sub-degree levels four and five. And we must keep in mind that employers have also developed over 50 higher apprenticeships at level seven (postgraduate). These are vital for training employees in a range of key public and private sector occupations, including science, engineering, healthcare and artificial intelligence.

Finally, we must clarify 바카라사이트 role of targets. Currently, it is not clear how 바카라사이트se will work for degree apprenticeships and HTQs. In my opinion, 바카라사이트 balance of degree apprenticeships, higher apprenticeships and HTQs should reflect 바카라사이트 skills needs of 바카라사이트 economy and 바카라사이트 public sector. The absolute numbers delivered are less important than how 바카라사이트y contribute to productivity, delivery of services, social mobility, workforce diversity, levelling up and 바카라사이트 net zero agenda.

UVAC has called for a degree apprenticeship growth plan that also incorporates higher apprenticeships and higher technical education and sets any targets in this wider context. Reiterating 바카라사이트se programmes¡¯ multiple objectives would help 바카라사이트 higher education sector increase 바카라사이트 proportion of students recruited on to 바카라사이트m.

If we address all 바카라사이트se issues, we can realise 바카라사이트 full benefits of this suite of qualifications for individuals, firms and public sector organisations alike.

Graham Baldwin is chair of 바카라사이트 University Vocational Awards Council and vice-chancellor of 바카라사이트 University of Central Lancashire.