Degree Apprenticeships

Having recently seen our apprentice become qualified I read this with great interest:

The Construction Index
Construction News
Fri March 13th 2015
Extract:

Chartered surveying is one of nine degree apprenticeships that the government has announced in addition to four that have previously been developed. The previous ones include construction.

The latest ones are more engineering focused and include electronic systems engineering, aerospace engineering, aerospace software development, defence systems engineering and, er, public relations.

The idea of degree apprenticeships is that they combine aspects of higher and vocational education, in much the same way as a traditional sandwich course placement.

Groups of businesses, universities and colleges are developing vocational degree courses that allow people to combine both academic study from a traditional university degree with practical experience.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Degree apprenticeships will give people a great head start, combining a full degree with the real practical skills gained in work and the financial security of a regular pay packet. They will bring the world of business and the world of education closer together, and let us build the high-level technical skills needed for the jobs of the future. I want to see many more businesses and universities begin to offer them.”

Higher apprentices are already able study to degree level as part of their apprenticeship but degree apprenticeships will go further, the government said. They will involve a degree as an integral part of the apprenticeship, co-designed by employers so that it is relevant for the skills industry requires.

As with other apprenticeships, the cost of course fees are shared between government and employers, meaning that the apprentice can earn a full bachelors or even masters degree without paying any fees.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) welcomed the move. External affairs director Kim Worts said: “RICS is delighted to be part of new apprenticeship reforms. For the first time we will provide degree apprenticeships for trainee surveyors, leading to chartered status (MRICS).”

The first chartered surveying degree apprenticeships will be open to entrants from September 2015 in England. Surveying apprentices will undertake a part-time undergraduate degree and gain in-work experience and training over a period of four to five years.

Engineering Employers Federation chief executive Terry Scuoler said: “There has been a noticeable gap in higher-level provision that combines both vocational and academic learning, and degree apprenticeships are the opportunity to fill this gap. For employers and learners alike, degree apprenticeships are a good step forward. Learners earn while they learn to a degree level and employers have access to relevant, responsive, highly-skilled employees.”

Organisations involved in developing the chartered surveying degree apprenticeship scheme are: Gardiner and Theobald, Axis, DTZ, Faithorn Farrell Timms, DSB Construction Consultants, Valuation Office Agency, Transport for London, EC Harris, Martin Arnold Associates, Collier & Madge, CBRE, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, London Southbank University and Birmingham City University.

To read more see HERE

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