1. Degree Apprenticeships
Angela West Skills and Employability Manager
Higher Education Funding Council for Wales

2. Background – policy context
The Welsh Government (WG) Apprenticeship skills policy plan, Aligning the Apprenticeship model to the needs of the Welsh economy,1 set out its delivery priorities to include:
Addressing acute skills shortages with a focus on growth sectors and emerging job categories;
A focus on apprenticeships at levels 3 and above particularly in STEM subjects;
An all age approach to apprenticeships;
A commitment to improving access, equality and equity of opportunity;
Strengthening opportunities for delivering apprenticeships in the medium of Welsh;
Developing skill pathways to integrate apprenticeships into the wider education system, including piloting degree apprenticeships;
Measuring the quality of apprenticeships through meaningful and sustained employment and international skills.
1 Welsh Government, Aligning the Apprenticeship model to the needs of the Welsh Economy, (2017)

3. Background – policy commitment
The policy plan explained its commitment to developing Degree Apprenticeships Level 6, and has set itself a target of 100,000 apprenticeship starts during the current assembly term.
Initial priority areas for Degree Apprenticeships were confirmed as:
Digital; (Software, Cyber Security and Data Science);2 is approved;
Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing, is expected later in 2018.
WG expects delivery of Degree Apprenticeships to commence in 2018/19, with the potential for delivering Degree Apprenticeships in other subject areas from 2020/21.
2 Digital Degree Apprenticeship Wales

4. Background – HEFCW statement3
Degree Apprenticeships provide opportunities for individuals working in Wales to develop relevant industry knowledge and job competencies whilst in paid employment.
They are Commissioned by Welsh Government, and will include a level 6 degree qualification which is recognised by employers across an industry or range of industries.
HEFCW funded institutions will be encouraged to offer delivery through other providers where it best meets the needs of the employer and the apprentice.
Flexible delivery methods are welcome.
3 HEFCW Statement: Degree Apprenticeships in Wales (March 2018)

5. Funding
Funding for degree apprenticeships from 2018/19 to 2020/21 will be up to £20m.
Funding will be allocated to degree apprenticeship providers via HEFCW up to £27k per apprenticeship.
Whilst the funding mechanism for degree apprenticeships will differ from other apprenticeships in Wales, they will form part of the Welsh apprenticeship system.

6. Expressions of Interest | Proposals
HEFCW has invited institutions to submit expressions of interest for Degree Apprenticeships to be delivered from 2018/19;
Institutions responded positively.
Degree Apprenticeship Proposals
The circular and call for submission of proposals will be published for the Digital Framework June 2018;
A process is in place to consider proposals;
Funding will be confirmed when all HEFCW funded institutions submitting proposals have successfully had their qualifications accepted on to the Digital Degree Apprenticeship Framework Wales.

7. Proposals - requirements
All the requirements of the relevant apprenticeship framework must be met;
Delivery through other providers where it best meets the needs of the employer and the apprentice will be encouraged;
Flexible delivery methods are welcome and will not be limited to just the lead degree apprenticeship provider;
A full degree apprenticeship will be a minimum of 3 years in duration. However, they may need to be longer to ensure that the apprentice has sufficient time to meet the apprenticeship framework requirements whilst working;
Where relevant, we would expect providers to recognise prior learning, particularly where individuals have undertaken apprenticeships at lower levels;
Providers will have the opportunity to deliver level 6 top ups which would be shorter in duration than full degree apprenticeships.

8. Proposals - requirements
Collaborate with other apprenticeship providers to meet employer needs at all apprenticeship levels and create clear apprenticeship progression pathways from lower level apprenticeships;
All apprentices must be employed and their salaries will be met by the employer;
Apprentices must spend 51% or more of their time working in Wales;
There must be an apprenticeship agreement in place;
Degree apprenticeship providers must ensure that apprentices receive the on and off the job learning;
Apprentices should have their progress reviewed at least every 2 months;
Apprentices should have access to the full range of student services offered by the provider;
Providers should submit data as required by HEFCW;
Degree apprenticeship marketing and communications should align with Welsh Government marketing and communications. (Skills driven)

9. Employers
There are no restrictions to the type and/or size of employer that can recruit an apprentice – but must be within one of the priority areas.
The employer and HE provider must be clear that the individual apprentice will have the opportunity, in the workplace, to meet the competency requirements of the apprenticeship framework.
Providers will need to be clear and transparent with the employer and the learner about the commitments they are signing up to including commitment to release the employee for any off the job training.

10. Proposals - additionality
HEFCW funded institutions will be encouraged to consider additionality by participating in the following:
Welsh Government apprenticeship marketing activities
National campaigns - Skills competitions such as World Skills.

11. Proposals - submission
Proposals will need to be set out in the context of criteria in areas such as collaboration, equality and diversity, and strategic fit), confirming:
employer sign up (names of employers and approximate number of employees to be enrolled on the degree apprenticeship);
approximate overall numbers for 2018/19 and 2019/20;
how providers are collaborating;
that they will meet the requirements for a degree apprenticeship provider;
where the degree apprenticeship provider is not a degree awarding body, sign up from the awarding institution and the delivery partners.

12. Monitoring and Review
HEFCW is in consultation with Welsh Government to consider monitoring and review arrangements.
An Annex will be published in due course setting out requirements.

13. Regional Skills Partnerships - background
Welsh Government has developed three Regional Skills Partnerships (RSPs)4, to identify and respond to the skills needs of Wales:
Analyse economic challenges and likely growth areas to identify the skills needed in the workforce;
Produce Regional Employment and Skills Plans to analyse and influence the provision of skills and support growth in each region;
Plan recommendations to Welsh Government to influence the prioritisation and deployment of skills funding.
Higher Education representation on RSPs comprise of regional groups developed within HEFCWs integrated approach to regional planning.
4Regional Skills Partnerships

14. Regional Skills Partnerships – regional groups
The North Wales Economic Ambition Board:
Aberystwyth University, Bangor University, Glyndŵr University and Grŵp Llandrillo Menai;
The South East Wales Learning, Skills and Innovation Partnership (LSkIP):
Cardiff University, Cardiff Metropolitan University, University of South Wales and Bridgend College;
South West and Central Wales Regional Learning Partnership (RLP):
University of Wales Trinity Saint David, Swansea University, Gower College, Neath Port Talbot College, and Pembrokeshire College.
The Open University in Wales is represented on each partnership.
Welsh Government also formed the Cardiff Capital Region and the Swansea Bay City Region.

15. RSP | WESB and HEFCW Regional Skills Partnerships
Officers will meet jointly with the three HE Regional Skills Partnership representatives to share good practice and develop a HE approach.
HEFCW will receive and consider partnership plans that will be submitted annually to Welsh Government.
This will help to inform future work, and ensure that HEFCW’s policy direction aligns with that of the RSPs and informs HEFCW conversations with HE representatives. 
Wales Employment and Skills Board (WESB)
HEFCW are seeking observer status on WESB to inform policy issues, needs and priorities in Wales, for higher education.

16. Contact details For more information please contact: Angela West
Skills and Employability Manager
Tel: