Degree apprenticeships, launched in 2015, are a nationally accredited work-based programme where an apprentice combines working in a skilled occupation with undertaking part time university study towards a related degree or masters qualification.
Apprentices are sponsored by their employer and work full time (usually 30 hours a week) whilst studying at university part time (usually attending 1 day a week) to gain a degree qualification.
An apprenticeship standard is a list of behaviours, knowledge and skills that an apprentice will need to have learned by the end of their apprenticeship. For an apprentice to successfully complete an apprenticeship they will need to demonstrate their ability to carry out all aspects of a job specification for the specific skilled occupation, such as a Chartered Surveyor or Civil Engineer. These aspects include the skills, knowledge and behaviours that have been identified for these types of skilled occupations - and include a widespread and varied portfolio of professions.
The standards have been and are continuously being developed by groups of employers called trailblazers with the Institute For Apprenticeships (IFA), an executive non- departmental public body sponsored by the Department for Education (DfE). The IFA's development of these standards with employers alongside the guidance from approved professional associations, ensures that the apprenticeships offered respond to the workforce requirements of employers, and provides employees with the transferable skills they will need to remain employable for their career progression.
Since April 2017 all employers with an annual pay bill over £3 million have been required to pay an apprenticeship levy. The levy payments, if made, are used to fund the apprenticeship training in your organisation via registration on the digital apprenticeship online portal.
Smaller, non-levy paying employers are required to contribute 10 per cent of the cost of training an apprentice, and the government will 'co-invest' by paying the remaining 90 per cent..
To qualify for a degree apprenticeship an employee is required to be in employed in a relevant job for a minimum of 30 hours per week and will need approval from their employer to enrol onto a course.
The duration of degree apprenticeships at Kingston vary however, most require at least 4 years part-time study, with a 1- day a week study at the University. Employees will study alongside other degree apprentices and full-time undergraduate students.
The apprenticeships team would be happy to speak with you about your current situation and offer advice on your requirements and next steps. So, if you require further information or are interested in exploring our degree apprenticeship provider options available for employers, call us, the Degree Apprenticeships Team on +44 (0) 20 8417 3045, alternatively email us at: degreeapprenticeships@kingston.ac.uk.
If you are an employee and would like to find out more about degree apprenticeships at Kingston University visit degree apprenticeships for employees.
Alternatively, you can give the degree apprenticeships team a call on 020 8417 3045
Read more about degree apprenticeships on gov.uk.