Morning, Tuesday, 29th April 2025
Online
This conference will assess next steps for degree apprenticeships in England.
It will be an opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss implications of the Government's introduction of the Growth and Skills Levy to replace the Apprenticeship Levy, alongside the establishment of Skills England.
Delegates will consider how these developments may affect degree apprenticeships, particularly in light of the announcement that HEIs will have to fund more of their Level 7 apprenticeships outside of levy funds.
Sessions will examine potential implications for providers, learners and employers, including the possibility of universities withdrawing from delivering degree apprenticeships. Potential impact on skills gaps across sectors and on social mobility will be considered, particularly for employees who lacked access to HE earlier in life.
The agenda will bring out latest thinking on strategic options for adapting to the new funding landscape, advancing effective partnerships between businesses and providers, and what will be needed to underpin the continued growth and accessibility of degree apprenticeships.
Further areas for discussion include priorities for expanding access to degree apprenticeships, particularly for under-25s, those from ethnic minority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged communities. Delegates will discuss the way forward for developing degree apprenticeship courses in emerging fields such as engineering, biomedical sciences, and media as well as more widely to meet the UK's evolving labour market and skills needs.
With the agenda currently in the drafting stage, areas for discussion include:
- Growth and Skills Levy: assessing implications of the new levy - impacts on degree apprenticeships - strategies for adaptation - unresolved issues - potential opportunities
- Level 7 funding removal: effects on providers and employers - addressing factors for potential university withdrawal - skills gaps - impact on public sector training
- Skills England: priorities, role and responsibilities - influence on training availability - skills base monitoring - relationships with stakeholders
- employer training flexibility: spend on non-apprenticeship training - advancing employee development - balancing training needs
- social mobility: mitigating possible effects on employees lacking earlier HE access - providing opportunities for underrepresented groups - improving inclusivity in apprenticeships
- business-provider partnerships: learning from effective collaborations - strategies for successful courses - expansion into new subjects and emerging fields - meeting evolving skills needs
- widening access: priorities for under-25s and underrepresented groups - improving participation - outreach initiatives
- future funding strategies: encouraging private investment - sustaining Level 7 courses - exploring alternative models - course viability
