Degree Apprenticeships: On The Front Lines

Degree Apprenticeships are rising in popularity with employers and young people alike, offering the opportunity to gain qualifications and build experience on the job, all whilst earning a salary.

Degree Apprenticeships offer a variety of benefits to both employer and apprentice, and we want to know more!

And what better way to learn, than talking to someone experiencing this new-wave education format currently? Harry is a 3rd year student, studying BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying and has given us more insight into the world of degree apprenticeships.

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Harry, you are three years into a five? year degree apprenticeship within the Construction industry, what made you choose this route into your career?

The degree apprenticeship route particularly stood out to me as it provided me with the experience whilst learning my trade to progress quicker than a graduate, developing my CV and applying my learning every day on site. The loose structure of university did not motivate me and following the completion of my A-Levels, full time education did not appeal to me, I needed to be out on site, applying my learning, getting started on my career and starting the climb up the rankings.

You are working a full-time role as well as completing your degree, how is your learning structured to facilitate this?

I get 20% of my hours to be recorded as ‘Off the Job’ learning, this usually correlates to a Friday each week to complete my university qualification and CPD. My employer is flexible on this to enable me to complete what I need regarding assignments and attendance of CPD opportunities around my work schedule. I have two modules each term, each with two assignments to be completed, which fits well into the structure provided.

What are the main benefits of the degree apprenticeship route, in your opinion?

I think there are three key factors for me:

Experience – gaining experience every day on site, putting my learning into practice and providing context to what is sometimes only visual learning at university. I am able to apply this to real-life situations, problem solve using skills I have developed and get stuck in a safe, fail-friendly environment.

Money! – ultimately… nobody goes to work for free, and yet at university you are expected to complete placements for at your own expense. Apprentices get paid fairly in my company, with the opportunity to be promoted, as I have, prior to graduation. The packages can include a company car and increased salary all at a young age whilst most people attend university at their own expense.

University and learning fees – my employer covers my university costs, and all other CPD and development opportunities, all expenses associated with as well as other benefits and financial rewards in place for good marks. No student loan repayment and a head start on earning!

There must be a difficult transition period between leaving full-time education and starting your apprenticeship, how did you find this time?

A-Levels to full time employment was a tricky step. The nature of the construction industry is an early start, and so from rolling out of bed in a free period (or lying in bed in the Covid times!) at sixth form, to the early starts and independence was difficult to adapt to. I adjusted very quickly; in fact, I’d now say the first hour of my day as the sun rises is the most peaceful and gives me time to think about what I need to get out of the day. Unless I’m sat on the M42, I hate the M42…

Did you find that some of your skill areas were lacking when you moved into employment and, if so, how did this learning method support your development?

The nature of my job is a lot of presenting and leadership work, something you don’t get much exposure to in A-Levels, and so I quickly had to learn and develop these skills, come out of my shell and be comfortable speaking to everyone and anyone on my sites. Having the confidence to speak up should I see something I disagree with or think we can do better, is something my employer has held campaigns on and promotes, no matter our level. I think I adapted to employment quickly because of the structure and discipline of it, something I have always benefitted from, from being a bit, self-admittedly, clueless and timid at eighteen, my progression in an apprenticeship role has been accelerated compared to if I had solely been a University student, I communicate effectively with all project teams to effectively deliver, on schedule and within budget.

In terms of progression, which route have you found to be more beneficial within your industry?

I have worked with numerous graduates and whilst they have an accelerated degree (three years + placement as oppose to my five), their lack of experience tends to mean that they take longer to adjust and adapt to the nature of the work, the formality and informality of going from site to corporate office environment trains me to be comfortable in any environment, with any stake holder, team member or client.

Do you think that degree apprenticeships are a learning tool that will continue to grow in the next decade?

Definitely! From the employer’s perspective, degree apprenticeships provide them with the opportunity to shape young people into the people they want them to be. They can self-promote, develop internal talent, and nurture apprentices for future roles and opportunities. Meanwhile from a potential apprentice’s viewpoint, they’re provided the opportunity to earn and learn, gain experience, and apply this learning to further develop their skill set and get ahead of the curve, using the experience provided to build the best CV of work possible to progress.

Degree Apprenticeships are changing the world of employment as we know it, and are certainly an interesting option available to school-leavers and employers alike. The benefits are overwhelming, and are allowing young people to enter the workforce at a younger age, developing their skills and experience along the way.