This National Apprenticeship Week, we want to share with you the reasons why we at Strathclyde are so passionate about Apprenticeships!
Earn while you learn
The opportunity to learn practical skills and gain invaluable experience whilst also earning a salary is undoubtedly one of the greatest benefits of an Apprenticeship. For some, moving onto further or higher education full time after school or even later in life may not be an option or be what they are looking for and Apprenticeships offer a real alternative. With the introduction of Graduate and Degree level Apprenticeships, there is not more opportunity than ever to gain a qualification whilst not having to sacrifice a salary.
Practical work experience
Apprenticeships are hands-on work based programmes whereby Apprentices gain real life skills and experience whilst doing their day job. In work, they are supported by their employer who ensures they get the opportunity to experience all relevant parts of life on the job whilst an educational provider supports the theory and learning aspects that the Apprentice translates back into their role. At Strathclyde, our dedicated Work Based Learning Advisors are the key link between the academic learning and the workplace to ensure that our learners fully integrate their apprenticeship degree programme back into their job.
Benefits for all
Be it Modern, Graduate or Degree, Strathclyde has championed work based, on-the-job Apprenticeship programmes not only because they offer Apprentices the opportunity to 'earn while they learn' but also for the value that they bring back into organisations. Not only do they provide employers with the opportunity to develop a skilled workforce that benefits the organisation in the longer term, work based projects also provide employers and Apprentices the opportunity to work and solve real-life workplace challenges. At Strathclyde, the work based learning is integrated into our programmes and we like to work with employers to identify work based projects that not only meet the academic requirements but also to ensure that is something the learner can do as part of their day job that will add real value to the organisation. Work based degrees and projects should be just that - based on work - and not require additional activities on top.
Fully funded opportunity
With Graduate and Degree Apprenticeships being funded programmes, there is the opportunity to achieve a degree qualification, work experience and no student debt! The Apprenticeship Levy has broadened out the opportunity for undergraduate and postgraduate study allowing organisations the opportunity to develop staff, either recruiting new staff into roles or upskilling existing employees without the pressure of sourcing additional funding. Even for SME employers who may not have paid the levy, there is still the opportunity to access fully funded courses.
Personal and Professional Development
Our Graduate and Degree Apprenticeship programmes are not only an academic qualification. Because our programmes have been mapped to relevant professional body standards when the programmes were originally designed, upon Graduation learners will take with them an ePortfolio of supporting evidence that can be used for application for Professional Body accreditation. Having the opportunity to achieve both an academic award and prepare for professional accreditation in parallel is a key aspect of our programmes.
Growing professional networks
Peer to peer learning cannot be underestimated and this is a core element of our Apprenticeship programmes at Strathclyde. Apprentices - our learners - do not join other groups of full time or part time students when studying their degree but remain with a wider cohort of Graduate or Degree Apprentices who are all balancing work with study. Our diverse mix of employers and learners who have come into academic study from a range of backgrounds, be that straight from school or having been employed for many years, ensure that there is ample opportunity to not only learn from their teaching but also from each other. Apprentices are encouraged to 'buddy' with another Apprentice who may be in later years of the same programme or working for the same employer as there is so much that can be learned from their peers to boost their learning.