Over 3000 higher and degree apprenticeships have been announced, giving individuals a wider choice of 
options for entering higher education in 2018, widening access to the professions and higher level technical skills.
The higher and degree level apprenticeship vacancies listed for 2018 outline the roles that over 40 high profile employers say they need to boost the skills of their workforce.
A range of vacancies are on offer in areas including engineering, aerospace, cyber security, nuclear science, business management, data analysis, HR, finance and media. The opportunities are available across England including Newcastle, Salford, Derby, Birmingham, Bristol, Plymouth, London and Bournemouth.
Degree apprenticeships, launched by the government in 2015, are widely considered to be a direct career pathway entering many sought after professions. The apprentice combines studying for a high-quality degree with the acquisition of key vocational skills, all whilst earning a salary from day one with tuition fees covered by the employer and government.
Skills Minister Anne Milton said:
Higher and degree apprenticeships provide the high-level technical skills that employers need and offer young people the opportunity to earn while they learn on courses that offer a high-quality alternative career path.
Through this government’s programme to improve both the availability and standards of higher and degree apprenticeships, learners now have more options than ever to choose a route into the profession of their choice. Whatever level someone has achieved, there is a road ahead for all apprentices to achieve more and more.
Sue Husband, Director of the National Apprenticeship Service added:
Higher and degree apprenticeships are broadening opportunities for individuals to achieve high-level qualifications to sit alongside invaluable skills they gain from their apprenticeship. Seeing the many opportunities now available is a very exciting prospect. More and more apprentices will be achieving the high-level skills our economy needs to compete; whilst employers benefit from employees with both the practical skills and degree level knowledge required in these professions.
The apprenticeship job roles now available at higher and degree level continue to grow and it’s extremely positive to see more and more employers advertising apprenticeship vacancies at these levels.
Employers are investing more in apprenticeships and reaping the benefits they offer, as the apprenticeship levy, which came into force in April 2017, requires all employers with an annual pay bill of £3m or more to pay 0.5% of their pay bill to invest in apprenticeship training.
Rebecca joined the HRreview editorial team in January 2016. After graduating from the University of Sheffield Hallam in 2013 with a BA in English Literature, Rebecca has spent five years working in print and online journalism in Manchester and London. In the past she has been part of the editorial teams at Sleeper and Dezeen and has founded her own arts collective.
