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Higher and degree apprenticeships summit reveals lack of awareness of funding availability

A summit held at Sheffield Hallam University to encourage businesses to develop higher and degree apprenticeships revealed a lack of awareness among employers about funding available to them.

The event brought together more than 70 national and regional businesses with representatives from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), the Skills Funding Agency and the Sheffield City Region Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

A number of businesses who attended were not aware of the level of funding available or that employers could receive financial support towards apprenticeships for existing staff and employees over the age of 24.

If employers and employees meet the Skills Funding Agency eligibility criteria they could receive funding of up to two thirds of the course cost, depending on the apprenticeship.

There are also incentive payments for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). A number of representatives from SMEs also asked about the practical implications of accessing higher and degree apprenticeships. There are a number of options for SMEs including the potential to share apprentices both in terms of their mentoring and their workload.

Of the 76 companies who attended the event, 25 have expressed an interest in working with Sheffield Hallam to recruit high calibre employees and develop their current workforce.

Emily Sargeantson, Director of Relish Learning, who attended the event, commented: “I was very surprised to see how much funding is actually available for higher and degree apprenticeships, especially for SMEs. What originally seemed out of our reach now seems like it could actually become a reality. We’re really keen on nurturing new talent, but need the funding and infrastructure support to make it happen as a micro-business. We’re now looking forward to exploring the opportunity further with Sheffield Hallam University.”

Higher and degree apprenticeships began at Sheffield Hallam in September 2015 after the University successfully bid for funding for over 240 higher apprentices from the Skills Funding Agency, the highest allocation for any university. Sheffield Hallam currently offers three higher and degree apprenticeship programmes with more being developed and available from 2017.

Conor Moss, Director of Education and Employer Partnerships at Sheffield Hallam, said: “The event was a real success and I am pleased so many regional and national employers came along. It is testament to the progressive businesses with the foresight to invest in higher and degree apprenticeships to develop their people and attract new talent.

“A number of those who attended expressed an interest in working with us to help us expand our apprenticeship offer into new and innovative areas.

“The government is committed to providing three million apprenticeships – a growing proportion of which will be higher level skills - during this parliament, with a requirement that courses meet the skills needs identified within each region.”

To find out more about higher and degree apprenticeships at Sheffield Hallam University visit the website or email apprenticeships@shu.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sheffield Hallam University .