Leading universities and UVAC led by Middlesex University receive grant for apprenticeship project

Announced on 26 March 2019: The Middlesex University led consortium of Sheffield Hallam and Staffordshire Universities and the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC) has been awarded a grant of £99,000 by education charity the Edge Foundation, for research into the provision of degree apprenticeships.

The consortium will develop a network of Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) to develop sustainable degree apprenticeships.

Professor Paul Gibbs, Centre for Education Research and Scholarship at the Middlesex University, said,

‘Degree apprenticeships have the potential to transform vocational higher education. They can equip an apprentice with the skills employers need and boost employment prospects. Over 100 Higher Education Providers have successfully applied to be registered providers of apprenticeships. Our project will look at the benefits of degree apprenticeships, develop a support network and identify what changes might be needed for higher education to respond to this exciting and growing area to create opportunities for the current and future workforce.’

The grant is one of just eleven awarded this year by Edge from a total fund of £1million. The Edge Foundation campaigns for a coherent, holistic and socially equitable education system, to enable all young people to fulfil their potential.

Edge Chief Executive, Alice Barnard, said:

‘Edge has always been an advocate of apprenticeships and we know an increasing number of employers value skills and experience as much, if not more, than qualifications. With a degree and work experience combined, degree apprenticeships offer the best of both worlds and are good news for students and for employers.’

Applications to the Grant Fund had to address at least two of the following five funding themes:

• Improve the design and delivery of engaging and relevant Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance
• Support the development of Project Based Learning (PBL) and associated profound employer engagement
• Support the development of a 14-19 curriculum which integrates both academic and technical/professional subjects
• Support the development of innovative approaches to higher education at levels 4, 5, and 6
• Ways to measure the performance of technical education.

About the Edge Foundation

Edge is an independent education charity which via its research, policy and campaign work, and projects is shaping the future of education.  Edge believes that we all need to be equipped with the skills that today’s global, digital economy demands, through a broad and balanced curriculum, including technical and creative subjects, excellent careers guidance and strong links between employers and education.   Visit www.edge.co.uk to find out more.