Highly-skilled employees are one of the biggest assets any business can have.
By investing in your team through higher or degree apprenticeships, you can develop industry leaders and reap the rewards for many years to come.
But what are higher and degree apprenticeships, and how exactly can they benefit businesses? Here's everything you need to know.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a way of combining workplace training with study, so employees can develop their expertise, earn a relevant qualification and bring the benefits of their increased knowledge back to your business.
Whether you’re looking to develop the skills of new or existing team members, apprenticeships can help employees to enhance their careers and embrace new opportunities.
Apprenticeships are tailored around occupational job roles, so employees can develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to succeed in their specific roles. A range of apprenticeship levels are available, depending on the knowledge and experience of individual employees.
To be awarded their apprenticeship, employees need to successfully complete an end-point assessment which will assess whether they’ve gained the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to pass their apprenticeship standard.
What is a higher or degree apprenticeship?
Higher and degree apprenticeships combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry.
They go from level 4 to 7 and are equivalent to a foundation degree and above. Degree apprenticeships are available at levels 6 and 7 and are equivalent to a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. This degree will need to be completed successfully in order for the employee to pass the end-point assessment for their apprenticeship.
How your business could benefit from higher and degree apprenticeships
1. Get the best out of your team
Higher and degree apprenticeships can help you to develop talented staff to reach their full potential.
For example, if you’ve identified skills gaps in your organisation, an apprenticeship programme could allow a member of your team with an interest in that area to bridge the gap and make a move in their career which otherwise may not have been possible. This could reduce the need for expensive and time-consuming recruitment for specialist roles, and also means you can place someone in that role who already knows your business inside out.
Developing the skills in your workforce can also have wider benefits, particularly if an apprentice leads a team or working group and uses their knowledge to mentor others.
2. Motivate and retain valuable staff
Staff with years of knowledge and experience are hugely valuable to your business, but they need to be nurtured if you don’t want to risk losing them.
Apprenticeships empower staff, making them feel valued and increasing their business loyalty – helping you retain talented employees.
3. Make the most of apprenticeship funding
You may be eligible for funding to help you cover the cost of providing higher and degree apprenticeships, making this a cost-effective way of delivering specialist training. Apprenticeship funding is paid for via apprenticeship levy funds, and businesses are either levy-paying or non-levy paying employers.
If your business has a payroll of more than £3 million and pays the apprenticeship levy, you can use your contributions to fully or partially fund apprenticeship programmes up to the maximum amount set by the government.
These funds sit in a digital ‘Apprenticeship Service’ account which is used to arrange and pay for all apprenticeship training.
Non-levy paying employers – SMEs with a payroll under £3 million – can apply to fund the cost of training through ‘co-investment’. This means they pay just 5% of apprenticeship course costs, with the government contributing the remaining 95% (up to a maximum amount).
Other government incentives are also available for both levy and non-levying paying companies, depending on business and apprentice circumstances.
4. Improve business performance
Developing your team’s skills can have an impact on all areas of business performance. In the government’s most recent Apprenticeship Evaluation Employers Report
- 78% of employers said apprenticeships had improved productivity
- 72% said apprenticeships had improved staff morale
- 76% said apprenticeships have helped to improve staff retention
Read the report to find out more.
5. Prepare your business to face the future
The business landscape is changing fast, so it’s important to equip your team with the skills they’ll need to thrive in the coming years. The digital world in particular is constantly evolving, so developing your team’s skills in areas such as data analytics and cyber security could give you the edge you need to succeed in a competitive marketplace.From Newcastle for inspiring change
At Newcastle University we offer higher and degree apprenticeship courses in a broad range of fields including Digital and Technology Solutions. Our Level 7 Leadership apprenticeship is delivered through our triple-accredited Business School.
Our current apprenticeship programmes include:
- Level 7 MSc Digital Technology Solutions
- Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship
- Level 5 Operations or Departmental Manager Higher Apprenticeship
Our programmes provide:
- outstanding teaching delivered by leaders in their field
- a globally recognised qualification
- opportunities for apprentices to network with market-leading professionals, sharing ideas and best practice
- access to our state-of-the-art facilities and online resources
Take the next step
For more information, download our e-book on how businesses can benefit from apprenticeships.
Alternatively, explore our apprenticeship programmes or contact us to find out more apprenticeships@newcastle.ac.uk.
