1. Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
Vicky Hall
Development Coordinator
Hampshire Careers Hub

2. Facts and Realities
Policy, the facts about apprenticeships, recent changes and their impact, who’s who and their roles.
Developing new Standards, funding and the levy.
Accessing apprenticeships – new / existing staff.
Benefits and key messages, the alternatives.
Local opportunities, case studies, useful links and resources.

3. So how much do you know?

4. What are Apprenticeships?
The Main Components

5. = + A real job with a real employer Paid a salary
Qualifications and experience
20% of time is off-the-job
Contract of employment, holiday, sick pay
Support from a training provider
1 – 4 years
People get confused about apprenticeships or have a certain perception that they are only for less academic students.
That’s probably because they’ve been around for hundreds of years, but they’ve changed a lot in that time.
It’s important to understand that an apprenticeship is a real job, with a real employer.
There’s a myth that apprenticeships are just like work experience, where students will only be given basic tasks but this isn’t the case.
Apprentices will be given real responsibilities and expected to work hard, just like anyone else in the company.
Apprentices will be paid a salary – and it can be a really good salary too! We’ll talk more about money later on.
The employer will invest their time and money in helping their apprentice to gain qualifications and valuable new skills and experience.
20% of the apprentices time (equivalent to 1 day per week) will be spent off-the-job, undertaking learning and this is paid time
Because it’s a proper job, every apprentice will have a contract of employment, holiday and sick pay - exactly the same as any other member of staff.
All apprentices are supported by a training provider, who will help them achieve qualifications and complete their apprenticeship.
An apprenticeship typically takes 1 to 4 years to complete (sometimes up to 6 for some areas like Solicitor). The total duration will depend on the delivery model that the employer selects, the level and the subjects being studied.
As a minimum, all apprenticeships must last for a minimum of 12 months.

6. Teachers often see apprenticeships as a positive opportunity for less academic students - and it’s great that they see them as positive
However we want to reassure you that apprenticeships are a positive opportunity for the more academic students too.
We now have three levels: Intermediate, Advanced and Higher.
Higher apprenticeships cover all levels from 4 through to 7
Level 4, 5, 6 and 7 are equivalent to a Foundation Degree and above.
A degree apprenticeship contains a Level 6 or 7 Bachelors or Masters degree.
So if an apprentice wants to, they can now start an apprenticeship and work all the way up to achieving a degree.
Which level of apprenticeship that a student starts at will depend on the kind of job that they are applying for. It is not necessarily based on their academic achievements It’s really important that students are not held back by only looking for a particular level e.g. degree apprenticeships, because it may be that they will need to start at advanced or higher level and work their way up. There is no shame in this.
Doing a job is completely different to getting a GCSE or A Level and that’s why it can be a bit confusing.

7. Some of the possibilities.
When we talk about apprenticeships, instantly people will start to think of Plumbing, Electrical and some of the other construction trades. There are many brilliant apprenticeships in these areas, but there are also hundreds of new apprenticeships in exciting areas that you might not know exist.
You can see that even for those students who are considering becoming a teacher, solicitor or nurse – there is another option for them through apprenticeships. This slide gives you an idea of the huge range of apprenticeships available and this is just a taster
Activity idea: Pick out a few of the job roles to discuss
Activity idea: Can anyone spot an apprenticeship on the screen that has surprised them?
Activity idea: Does anyone know someone who is doing an interesting apprenticeship?

8. Apprenticeship Reforms
Nov 2012 – The Richards Review set out ambitious plans to make apprenticeships more employer responsive.
The Government response – The Future of Apprenticeships in England: Implementation Plan promised rigour and responsiveness.
The key measures were to:
Put employers in the driving seat.
Increase the quality of apprenticeships.
Simplify the system.
Give employers purchasing power.

9. Main Elements of Apprenticeship Reform
Employer-led Trailblazers designing apprenticeships
Giving employers the opportunity to set the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed
Short, concise standards replace long, complex frameworks
Providing a clear and attractive ‘shop window’ for parents, apprentices and businesses
All apprenticeships have synoptic end point assessment; grading and links to professional recognition
Ensuring that apprentices are signed off as fully competent at the end of their apprenticeship
All apprenticeships must last at least 12 months
Continuing to drive up the quality of apprenticeships
Give employers greater control over funding
Enabling employers to be intelligent customers, getting the training they want and driving up quality
Trailblazers – groups of about 12 employers get together to define the skills, knowledge and behaviours of the job role in question
They create the Standard – a 2-3 page document outlining their thinking. Once the wider sector has been consulted and this is agreed they then build the assessment plan – what and how will an apprentice learn and be assessed. This is used by an external End Point Assessment organisation to test the knowledge of the apprentice to ensure they know everything they need not just for their employer but for the sector in general – hence the apprenticeship is nationally recognised.
All apprenticeships must be a min. of 12 months of learning and the funds paid by the Government are transparent to ensure all understand the value of the investment in the learning.

10. Essential Policy, Who’s Who And Their Roles.

11. Government Policy Minister of State for
Apprenticeships and Skills, Anne Milton MP
Apprenticeships now part of ESFA remit, within the Department for Education – which is a good thing because previously they were in BIS – this links them more closely to schools and university.
Vision 2020: All of the strategic vision statements still apply. Published Dec Surprising – it’s actually still relevant and we are actually following it
Institute for apprenticeships (and will include Technical Education in the future – but T Levels aren’t coming in until 2020 so we’ve got a bit of time first) Really important to remember the IFA is an employer membership organisation –there to support employers and provide governance.

12. Established in April 2017 The Institute for Apprenticeships (IFA) ensures high-quality apprenticeship standards and advises government on funding for each standard. IFA is an executive non-departmental public body, sponsored by the Department for Education.
The Institute has published almost 200 apprenticeship standards and is working with employers to develop more.
Since its establishment in April 2017, the Institute has published almost 200 apprenticeship standards and is working with employers to develop more.

13. The Main Functions of IFA are:
Develop and maintain quality criteria for the approval of apprenticeship standards and assessment plans;
Support the development of standards and assessment plans by employer groups and review and approve them;
Maintain a public database of apprenticeship standards;
Review published standards & assessment plans;
Advise Government on the maximum amount of funding that should be assigned to each apprenticeship standard;
Ensuring all end-point assessments are quality assured.

15. ‘Apprenticeship First policy which means that all approved vacancies for posts that are for 12 months or more, full or substantive part time, are presumed to be an apprenticeship opportunity unless there is an approved business case as to why it can’t be. This applies to new starters but also promotions and redeployments.’ John Coughlan July 2017
Updated to include existing staff.

17. ENGLISH AND MATHS TRAINING
Additional Support
DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE Government will pay £1,000 to employers, and a further £1,000 to training providers if they train year olds leaving care or who have a Local Authority Education and Healthcare plan
16-18 YEAR OLDS Government will pay £1,000 to employers, and a further £1,000 to training providers if they train a year old apprentice
ENGLISH AND MATHS TRAINING
To meet minimum standards of English and maths we will pay training providers £471 for each of these qualifications (Level 1 and 2)
SMALL EMPLOYERS Employers with fewer than 50 employees will have 100% of the training and assessment costs covered when training a year old (or year old formerly in care or has a Local Authority Education, Health and Care plan
ADDITIONAL LEARNING SUPPORT We will pay training providers up to £150 a month to support these learners, plus additional costs based on evidenced need

18. Prior Qualifications
Now and in the future, an individual can undertake an apprenticeship at a higher level than a qualification they already hold.
Since May 2017, an individual can be funded to undertake an apprenticeship at the same or lower level to acquire substantive new skills

19. Research Resources

20. ACTIVITY
In small groups consider the comparison between a traditional full time degree and a degree apprenticeship.

21. The Facts About Degree Apprenticeships
More the 80 universities in England now offer degree apprenticeships. This includes many Russell Group universities too.
The degrees that are offered through degree apprenticeships are exactly the same as the degrees that would be achieved if you were studying full time.
Apprentices can still achieve a first (or a 2:1 or 2:2) and would be able to potentially progress onto a Masters level programme if they needed to for their job.
Many degree apprenticeships also combine professional status – so it’s a double bonus. For example, if you are studying a degree apprenticeship in Chartered Surveying, you will also achieve your membership of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors – and if you only study a full time degree you won’t achieve this until you can evidence that you have experience of the workplace, so this actually puts apprentices ahead of their peers.
One of the main differences will be that the employer will select which university they want their apprentice to study with.
This could depend on the location of the university, the type of programme that they offer and their planned delivery model e.g. one day a week / online
Because apprentices will be studying part-time, it is likely that it may take a bit longer for them to achieve their degree – possibly 4 years instead of 3. Also the way that it is delivered could vary. Apprentices may not attend lectures on site at the university all of the time, some of the learning may be on-line and a lot of the learning will take place in the workplace too.
But one of the areas getting the most attention with degree apprenticeships is the funding. The cost of the degree is still the same as studying full time (£9000 per year) but the apprentice will not be expected to pay for this. All fees will be paid for by the employer and the government, therefore apprentices will not have any student debt.

22. Higher And Degree Apprenticeships
Higher and degree apprenticeships are a real alternative to following the traditional route of going to University as a full time student.
They offer all the benefits of higher education with none of the cost. You will not only be learning, but earning a salary, from day one.
So with a degree apprenticeship, you’re much less likely to build up any debt. Your tuition fees are paid for by your employer and the Government, so you will not be expected to pay £9000 a year.
More than 80 Universities in England offer their degree apprentices exactly the same student experience as other students, so you will still have access to the student union, sports facilities, clubs, societies and student discounts.
In the past, going to university was seen as the best way to advance your career to a higher level. But with the current level of competition for jobs amongst graduates, it might not be the best route for you. With an apprenticeship, you gain the competitive advantage of gaining at least 3 years’ work experience whilst completing your degree.
But remember – it’s hard work as a degree apprentice. You’ll be working full time and fitting in the equivalent of a full time degree alongside it. It might take a bit longer than studying full time – for example, 4 years instead of 3, but you’ll achieve exactly the same degree.
No matter what kind of career you want to follow, you need to do your research and find out if there’s a way to get to the role you want through an apprenticeship. That way, you can decide if you would prefer to study full time at college or university, or if you would prefer to go into work as an apprentice and gain qualifications and experience on the job from day 1.

23. What are the Differences? Degree University
Apprenticeship
Advertised all year
UCAS deadline
Employer and government pay for the study
Student pays to study / student loan
Usually start once a year
Difference between University and Degree Apprenticeship?
When they are advertised
Apprenticeships are advertised throughout the year. They do not have one closing date – each employer can decide when they advertise and how long that advert will stay open for.
University has one main deadline, set by UCAS
Who pays
Both options have training costs associated with them. However, as an apprentice, you will not pay for your study – this will be paid for by your employer and the government. As a full time student, you will need to pay for your tuition fees.
When do they start?
Apprenticeships are real jobs and therefore they start throughout the year. University usually has an intake of once per year (although some universities do start more often than this)
Start throughout the year

24. What are the Similarities? Degree University
Apprenticeship
You will need to do your research
You will have to apply and it is competitive
Entry requirements
You need to research
You wouldn’t dream of applying to a university for a full time course without doing your research – and exactly the same is true for apprenticeships
You need to look at the location, the benefits, the social life, the transport, if you’re going to be moving away from home – both options require research
You have to apply and it is competitive
Both apprenticeships and university are a competitive process. You are not guaranteed either – you have to put in a good application and go through a competitive process for the best places.
Entry requirements
For apprenticeships, each employer will have their own entry requirements
If it is a degree apprenticeship, the employers will work with university to agree on the entry requirements

26. Where can I find one?

27. How to Find An Apprenticeship
Go to GOV.UK
Search for
‘Find an apprenticeship’
Go to UCAS.COM
Search for
‘Career Finder’

28. Find an apprenticeship
Where To Begin – GOV.UK 1 2 3
Register on
Find an apprenticeship
Do your research and search for jobs
Start applying 4 5
Manage your alerts
Make contact with employers

29. https://resources. amazingapprenticeships

30. Useful Resources A Guide to and the A-Z of Apprenticeships
There are lots of useful resources that you can access, completely free of charge. Here are some of our favourites:
The A-Z of Apprenticeships
Published on gov.uk this fantastic guide lists all of the different apprenticeships that are available. You will be completely amazed at the different options out there.

31. The Apprenticeship Guide – A Prospectus for Apprenticeships
The Apprenticeship Guide This guide is like the prospectus for apprenticeships. It lists every apprenticeship available and also has really useful case studies. So if you’ve got students wondering if you can be an apprentice nurse, solicitor, tattoo artist or teacher through the apprenticeship route (and the answer is yes to all of those by the way!) then use this guide to help them with their research.

32. 101 Amazing apprenticeship activities
Published in September 2017, this useful guide has 101 activities that you can use to inspire your young people.
101 Amazing apprenticeship activities
Published in September 2017, this useful guide has 101 activities that you can use to inspire students, staff and parents about apprenticeships
A printed copy is available for your school but you can also download it from amazingapprenticeships.com

33. Which? Guide to Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
This is a great guide and will really help students to look at the 80+ universities who are offering degree apprenticeships so that when students are visiting universities through open days or trying to find out if there is a way to achieve the degree without the debt, it gives them a starting point for their research.

34.  Useful Website Links

35. Questions?