The case for degree apprenticeships – Dan Lally

Those were the words of Labour leader Keir Starmer, speaking at the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) annual conference earlier this week.

Covid-19 cases are on the rise. After a chance to draw breath over the summer, it seems that we are now facing a biting winter with another lockdown starting tomorrow, restricting our personal, social and working lives.

Before the Covid pandemic, the UK was already facing an economic path filled with uncertainty and danger.

With increasing automation, and Brexit on the horizon, there is the spectre of unemployment and thinning pool of talent for firms to draw from.

It will take time, but the economy will recover. Already the Government is stressing the importance of levelling up regions, such as Yorkshire, which have been left behind and a “retraining revolution”.

Against this backdrop, it is clear that, in the post-Covid era, businesses will need to invest in their workforce.

Degree apprenticeships are perfectly placed to do just that. We now deliver one of the widest ranging selection of degree apprenticeships, working with over 400 employers and 1,500 apprentices to deliver courses in sectors including construction, engineering, health and social care and cross sector in digital/IT, leadership and management.

Just recently, we were recognised as degree apprenticeship provider of the year at the School Leavers Awards for our chartered manager degree apprenticeship, developed in partnership with Nestle.

Hafsa Ali, on our Morrisons degree apprenticeship, was recently shortlisted at the BAME Apprenticeship Awards. Our collaborations with firms like these deliver a lasting, real-world impact.

Degree apprenticeships are also accessible, with over 45 per cent of our apprentices coming from socially deprived areas, offering people who would not normally access higher education a route into prosperity.

On-the-job training, combined with university-based learning, enhance the skills of your employees – delivering high level knowledge and expertise. Any business can take advantage of funding to develop and retain existing staff or acquire new talent.

Studies have found that 83 per cent of employers would recommend apprenticeships to others, and 76 per cent of employers found that apprentices increased productivity. They can also provide a positive alternative to redundancy – by empowering employees to succeed and diversifying the knowledge and skills base, adding value in the long term.

Just this year, we have launched new programmes in construction and engineering – two sectors that are in desperate need of new talent.

Construction job openings are predicted to reach more than 42,000 in Yorkshire and the Humber by 2022 and new job opportunities increasing across the industry, from 500,000 to 700,000 by 2024. As such, there is an increasingly urgent need to address the current lack of skilled industry professionals within the sector.

With recent predictions stating that a further two million additional technology roles will be created during the next five years, we are also ahead of the curve in this area, providing programmes in digital and technology solutions to meet this growing demand.

Outside of degree apprenticeships, Sheffield Hallam has partnered with organisations across the region to help create six-month work placement opportunities through the Government’s recently announced £2bn Kickstart scheme.

The Kickstart scheme is designed to create thousands of jobs for young people, including graduates aged between 
16-24 years, who are currently on Universal Credit, with wages paid by the Government.

The scheme is intended to provide businesses with access to a pool of talented young people who are looking to establish themselves, or even change their career path.

By investing in the workforce, whether through a degree apprenticeship or the Kickstart scheme, businesses can secure their future in unsecure times and thrive in future decades.

Dan Lally is head of business engagement and growth at Sheffield Hallam University.

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