How to offer degree apprenticeships as an employer

In this guide, we’ll explain how you can reap the benefits of offering degree apprenticeships within your organisation.

What are degree apprenticeships?

First, let’s take a look at what degree apprenticeships are. This versatile form of training covers a growing range of professions, from teaching and nursing to engineering and law. As with other apprenticeships, degree apprenticeships combine work and learning, and learners spend at least 20% of their time studying or training to meet the requirements of their specific apprenticeship standard.

As an employer, you’ll work with a training provider such as a university or college to ensure learners gain all of the skills and knowledge needed to complete their programme, which typically lasts between two and five years. On completion, learners gain a level 6 or 7 qualification, equivalent to a bachelor's or master’s degree.

Why offer degree apprenticeships?

Degree apprenticeships are a fantastic way to attract ambitious talent and develop a highly skilled workforce. They bridge the gap between academia and vocational training, giving team members in-depth theoretical knowledge as well as the ability to apply it to your business. Here are some of the greatest benefits of offering degree apprenticeships.

Tailored development: It can be hard to find graduates with the skills to hit the ground running, leading to skills gaps in many industries. Degree apprenticeships let you develop the specific skillsets you need now and in the future, helping you shape your workforce to meet your long-term goals.

Cost-effective training: Degree apprenticeships are a great way to maximise returns on your Apprenticeship Levy investment. And if you don’t pay the levy, apprenticeships are heavily subsidised by the Government, giving you high-level training and qualifications at a low cost compared with alternative routes.

A robust talent pipeline: The majority of apprentices remain with the same employer after completing their programme, meaning you’ll continue to benefit from the skills you’ve helped to hone. Armed with knowledge that’s specific to your organisation, your newly qualified apprentices will be ready to step up and take on vital responsibilities and even become the future leaders of your business.

How to offer degree apprenticeships

Now you know a bit more about how degree apprenticeships work, here’s a step-by-step guide to offering them in your business.

1. Choose the right apprenticeship standard

There are almost 200 degree apprenticeship standards either in development or approved for delivery on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website, ranging from ‘Advertising creative’ to ‘Biomedical scientist’. Here, you can find out everything from occupational duties to the maximum funding you’ll receive.

Each standard is developed by a group of employers who understand the skills in demand within that particular industry. Your apprenticeship programme will follow this standard to ensure learners develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours the role requires.

2. Find a training provider

Next, you’ll need to search the Government’s apprenticeship website to find a higher education training provider that delivers your chosen standard. Start by selecting the programme that matches the standard, and then click to view providers.

You can compare providers based on things like employer and apprentice reviews, and whether they deliver training at your workplace. However, you’ll need to find out far more than this in order to choose the best provider for you. See our in-depth article on how to choose the right apprenticeship provider or get in touch for more guidance.

3. Create your apprenticeship job role

It’s time to define how degree apprenticeships will work in your organisation. Make sure you understand responsibilities such as off-the-job training, and ensure everything is in place to recruit the right candidates and give them all the support they need throughout their programme.

While your training provider can work with you on some of this, it’s a good idea to get expert advice so you can be confident you’ve got everything covered. Contact us to find out how we can help.

4. Advertise and recruit

You can now promote your apprenticeship opportunity to attract the ideal candidates. While you can do this in much the same way as you would for any other role, such as through job boards and social media, you can also advertise through the Government’s 'find an apprenticeship' service.

5. Support apprentices throughout their programme

Earning a degree while working can be tough, and your apprentices will need plenty of guidance along the way. Establish a support system for apprentices that includes things like regular check-ins, mentoring, and access to relevant resources. This boosts learning while helping apprentices integrate into your company culture.

At the same time, you’ll need to provide plenty of opportunities for apprentices to develop the skills and knowledge they’ll need during end-point assessment. Learn more about helping your apprentices complete their programmes successfully.

Don’t forget to gather feedback from your apprentices along the way so you can continually improve your offering.

Getting it right first time

Offering degree apprenticeships is more than a recruitment strategy; it's a commitment to nurturing the next generation of talent and fostering a culture of lifelong learning within your organisation.

While you’ll likely fine-tune your degree apprenticeship offering over a number of years, you can avoid some of the pitfalls and speed up the process by working with a trusted further education consultancy like Roemer Barnes. Speak to us today to start building a higher performing workforce through degree apprenticeships.