The Higher Education Commission is very pleased to officially call for evidence for its latest inquiry into Degree Apprenticeships.

The Higher Education Commission’s seventh inquiry examines Degree Apprenticeships and is co-chaired by Lord Norton of Louth and Smita Jamdar. 

Degree Apprenticeships present an opportunity for the UK to address its skills shortage. Skills gaps are impacting productivity and therefore are a major concern for Government, businesses and employers. Labour demand is outpacing supply and Brexit is expected to exacerbate the problem. In 2015 the Conservative Government committed to creating three million new apprenticeships by 2020, and the development of Degree apprenticeships is an important aspect of this policy.

Apprenticeships which have led to degrees have long existed in the UK, however the new reforms formally combine workplace experience with university study, with the assumption that the apprentice will receive a full degree at the end of the apprenticeship. The Commission’s seventh inquiry aims to examine the challenges involved in implementing Degree Apprenticeships and to what extent this new policy is actually addressing skills shortages. 

Overall objectives of the inquiry:

1. How do degree apprenticeships fit into the overall structure of tertiary (post-level 3) education and training, and is their formal relationship with other awards and pathways clear?
2. What have been the major challenges establishing degree apprenticeships for providers/employers?
3. How far are degree apprenticeships, on the basis of developments to date, providing an effective contribution to meeting the economy’s skills needs, and doing so in a way that offers value-for-money?

Please use the questions provided in the attached document to frame your response to the call for evidence, but do not feel restricted by or compelled to answer every question. The Commission welcomes all types of evidence, from data including data analysis or internal studies your organisation has carried out, and personal or organisational views on these issues. Submissions of evidence will not be published and the Commission will seek your permission before quoting from evidence submissions in our final report.

The Commission’s secretariat will also be conducting informal interviews to inform the inquiry – please get in touch if you would like to discuss the topic in more detail.

Please see attached to this page for the call for evidence. The deadline for submission is Friday October 19th. Evidence can be submitted to tom.mcewan [at] policyconnect.org.uk (tom[dot]mcewan[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk). For more information about the Commission or the inquiry please contact Tom McEwan, Senior Researcher on 0207 922 8003.