Bath Spa Uni set to deliver degree and higher level apprenticeships from September

Bath Spa University will provide professional degree and higher level apprenticeships from September 2017, in response to a Government drive to increase on-the-job education by raising standards.

The raise in standards will meet the demands of employers, address key skills gaps, and enhance the UK’s productivity.

The University is currently developing apprenticeships in the following areas:

• Business, Management and Leadership;
• Childcare and Education;
• Creative Arts and Design;
• Policing.

Degree apprenticeships are a new opportunity to provide employer-focused higher education in England, offering a debt-free way to combine university education with work experience.

The apprentice must be employed, either as a new recruit or an existing member of staff, and will combine ‘on the job’ training with study for a degree qualification.

Dr Rebecca Schaaf, Deputy Vice-Provost for Learning and Teaching at Bath Spa University said: “Degree apprenticeships are a great way for employers to upskill their workforce and recruit new people.

“They are designed to develop key skills, behaviours and knowledge that the apprentice will need during their employment.

We are keen to speak to employers in the region who might be interested in working with us to develop these apprenticeships.

“We plan to expand on the strengths of our current degree portfolio and provide apprenticeships in subjects where we have experience and expertise.”

From April 2017, all employers operating in the UK with a pay bill over £3 million each year will be required to contribute to a new apprenticeship levy. This levy payment can then be used to pay for apprenticeship training.

However, firms who do not pay the levy can still access the new apprenticeship training. They will be required to make a 10% contribution to the cost of the training, and government will pay the rest, up to the maximum amount of funding available for that apprenticeship.

Bath Spa University is tailoring its offering to meet local needs and is therefore keen to hear from employers who would like to discuss the apprenticeships listed above as well as any outside of these areas.

Organisations are invited to get in touch by emailing [email protected] to find out more.