National Apprenticeship Week attracts employers to Northumbria

Business employers visited Northumbria University, Newcastle, recently to hear how degree and higher apprenticeships can strengthen their recruitment strategies.

The breakfast briefing included presentations on how degree apprenticeships work, details of courses available and how to work in partnership with Northumbria. Business partners and students currently studying on apprenticeship courses also talked about their experiences.

Higher and degree apprenticeships are a key strand in the Government’s skills strategy and are open to newly recruited and existing staff from organisations of all sizes. They combine university study and workplace learning to enable employees to gain new knowledge, new skills, and new thinking whilst completing an undergraduate or master’s degree.

Professor Peter Francis, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Northumbria University, said: “We were delighted to see so many employers come to our breakfast briefing. Businesses and organisations of all sizes are clearly looking at how degree apprenticeships can help them recruit and develop a talented and highly skilled workforce.

“Higher and degree apprenticeships at Northumbria are more than a learning programme; they are a partnership. We work with organisations to create courses that meet the specific demands of your business. We will provide your employees with the skills and knowledge required so they can take on tomorrow’s challenges.”

The University and Northumbria Police recently announced a partnership to help educate the next generation of officers.  Funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, Northumbria will jointly deliver the new Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships (PCDA) – which aims to best equip officers for life in policing.

From 2020 the entry route into policing will change nationally, and it is hoped that the degree apprenticeship will attract talent from diverse backgrounds.

For more information on how your business could benefit from degree and higher apprenticeships and our 2019/20 programmes visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/degreeapprenticeships