Apprenticeships in practice

What are higher and degree apprenticeships and how do they work in practice?

How they work generally

An apprenticeship is a job with training, providing the opportunity to develop specific knowledge, skills, and behaviours (KSB) to prepare for specific job role. It is a collaboration between an education provider and an employer that benefits the employer and their employee.

Degree apprentices study with our University while they are working. They will be an existing team member or a new recruit to the organisation, of any age, and at any point in their career. So, your organisation will gain a highly skilled employee with higher level academic qualifications, relevant, practical skills, and an intimate working knowledge of your business and culture.

Off-the-job training hours and support

Supporting a degree apprentice will help you to fill the skills gaps in your workforce and to develop your existing talent through relevant degree courses, funded through the Levy. Following an apprenticeship standard, which sets out the KSB required, your apprentice will be required to protect a certain number of their contracted working hours to learn ‘off-the-job’, either with the University (on campus or online) or in the workplace, as agreed and set out in the apprenticeship contracts.

We will monitor these hours and the progress the apprentice makes in acquiring new KSB through regular progress review meetings, which are attended by the apprentice and a representative of both ARU and your organisation. These meetings provide opportunities for you and ARU to work together in ensuring the apprentice is supported throughout their programme and given every opportunity to succeed.

End point assessment

An apprenticeship is concluded on the successful passing of an End Point Assessment (EPA). This is either integrated into the final assessments of ARU’s course or managed through an independent assessment body once ARU’s course has been successfully passed.