UVAC found that 79 of the UK’s top 100 universities still don’t deliver construction-based degree apprenticeships, which could prove a barrier to beating the skills shortage
The study was conducted by the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) which has over 90 university members and examined the range of job roles students can train for when completing a degree apprenticeship, including in construction.
Analysis across the 100 top universities(as identified in the Sunday Times) found that more work is needed if the UK’s higher education (HE) system is going to be in a position to offer every available degree apprenticeship to ensure construction sector employers and student ambition is met.
Offsite roles will benefit from high numbers of administration apprenticeships, but onsite skills are lacking
Of those universities reviewed, the greatest provision of degree apprenticeships is in business and administration subject areas, with 48% of universities offering a programme for those progressing their career in HR, as a business analyst or even as a senior leader.
Business and administration courses, such as the CMI Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship, make up 18% of the degree apprenticeships offered by the top 100 universities.
It was closely followed by health and science (45%) which provides a pathway into roles such as a pharmacist or registered nurse. The third biggest subject area is digital and IT (36%) which offers a work-based route into roles such as software developer or data scientist.
Further positive news for the economy found within the research, was that 46% of degree apprenticeships are provided within recognised STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) subjects, such as engineering and manufacturing and finance and accounting.
The lowest provision of degree apprenticeships is within law and legal studies, with only 1% providing them in that area.
In the past year, degree apprenticeship starts have increased by 9%
Dr. Mandy Crawford-Lee, chief executive for UVAC commented: “Giant strides have been made to ensure the UK’s traditionally recognised top 100 universities are meeting the needs of students and employers by maximising their contribution to the provision of degree apprenticeships. In the last academic year alone, degree apprenticeship starts increased by 9% compared to the previous year. Yet our research reveals there is still scope for far greater provision, given their proven impact on improving social mobility, addressing the skills gaps and shortages across public and private sector organisations and bolstering the wider economy.
“The UK’s world class universities have a fundamental role to play in ensuring construction employers, including SMEs, have the right employees with the right skills to raise business performance and productivity.
An extra 40,000 skilled workers are needed by 2029
The ECITB estimate suggests that uptake of construction degree apprenticeships must increase to prevent the industry facing a disastrous labour shortage in the coming decades.
“UVAC recognises that delivering construction-based degree apprenticeships brings with it concerns around cost, employer engagement and regulatory requirements, preventing some universities from committing further,” continued Dr. Crawford-Lee. “We still remain hugely optimistic, given the blueprint has been set by organisations such as the Russell Group, as more than half of its research-intensive universities provide 500 employers and over 2,100 apprentices with higher and degree apprenticeships in cities such as Exeter, Leeds and Sheffield.
“Moving forwards, we view the provision of higher and degree apprenticeships delivered by higher education as essential to levelling up regions and reducing the skills gap. Our research shows that there is still capacity within our UK institutions to both deliver more degree apprenticeships and diversify into new industries and occupations. I believe universities provide a cutting-edge and aspirational approach that is continually helping raise the status of all types of apprenticeship across the UK.”
