Report highlights benefits of degree apprenticeships

A recent report has highlighted the importance of degree apprenticeships to the manufacturing and engineering sectors and the critical role they play in driving productivity, social inclusion and tackling the skills gap.

The findings come from Manchester Metropolitan University, a University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) member organisation, which studied data from over 5,000 apprentices and more than 600 employers.

From a recruitment perspective, 93% of firms are investing in higher and degree apprentices to bolster their talent pipeline, while 91% agreed they help address skills gaps within their business. SMEs also regard them as vital, with 58% claiming they bring new talent to their organisation.

The report also provides an insight into the potential impact of the government’s proposed changes to the Apprenticeship Levy, which aims to shift funding priorities towards lower-level and new foundation apprenticeships for young people and those starting out.

There are fears that removing funding from higher-level apprenticeships could be detrimental to employers and impact opportunities for young people. James Walker, director of apprenticeships at Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “Our Force for Impact report shows these programmes have been transformative, enabling thousands of apprentices to access high-quality training in roles where there are skills shortages. Our data shows how vital it is to protect essential training pathways, while safeguarding the future of workforce development in a range of sectors.”