University Alliance CEO Vanessa Wilson responded to today’s announcement on the guidance received by the Office for Students from Secretary of State for Education Gillian Keegan, to include a £40m degree apprenticeships development fund as part of the 2023-24 Higher Education Strategic Priorities Grant. Wilson said:
“Degree apprenticeships are increasingly one of the most popular and competitive higher education options, and rightly so. They offer people of all ages the opportunity to get a fee-free degree level qualification, earn while they learn, and set themselves up for an exciting career. For employers, they help deliver the highly skilled people they need.
To meet the rising demand for degree apprenticeships, there is a need to quickly and significantly scale-up the number and variety of degree apprenticeships on offer.
The announcement of a £40m degree apprenticeship development fund is very welcome. University Alliance represents many of the UK’s leading degree apprenticeship providers, and our members work with employers ranging from FTSE100 companies like Rolls Royce, to NHS trusts, to small local businesses. The scale of this competitive funding provides an exciting opportunity to meet the challenge of expanding access to degree apprenticeships. Our members will be keen to input their considerable expertise.”
