A multi-institutional exploration of the social mobility potential of degree apprenticeships

Abstract

This mixed-method study at six universities asked degree apprentices about their trajectories into the apprenticeship, to better understand the social mobility potential of apprenticeships. The degree apprenticeship offers a route to a degree for apprentices, who are employees studying for a degree. As a new model, little is known about the apprentices: who they are, their journey towards this degree, and whether they fulfil the social mobility aspirations expressed by apprenticeship policymakers. Computing and IT apprentices at six universities in Scotland, UK, were surveyed (n = 160) to ask about their background and previous experience. Interviews (n = 28) were carried out with apprentices studying with one of the institutions, to enquire how their backgrounds impacted on their journey to this point. By taking a multi-institutional approach, the study reports findings across different degree apprenticeships and geographical locations. Apprentices were found to be drawn from all socioeconomic groups and represented those new to work and upskillers, already in work. For upskillers, the degree apprenticeship offered a belated opportunity for degree-level study. However, young people recruited into the apprenticeship were disproportionally from more privileged groups. We make recommendations for recruitment and selection processes to increase equality of access to degree apprenticeship places.

The built environment craftmanship in higher education institutions: issues and prospects from stakeholders' perception

“…Craftmanship is not a new concept. In the United Kingdom, there is a degree apprenticeship model and likely to give a new route to highly-paid work (Smith et al ., 2021). Fabian et al .…”

“…In summary, several literature such as Evawoma-Enuku and Mgbor (2005), Donkor (2012), Ho (2016), Afolabi et al . (2017), Craig and Bewick (2017), Asiyanbola (2018), QAA (2019), Sambe (2019), Smith et al . (2021) and Osuizugbo et al .…”

“…The intention for a better job opportunity is why people invest in higher education. The global expansion of higher education has shown that higher education qualification is inadequate for a graduate role (Smith et al, 2021;Aliu et al, 2022aAliu et al, , 2022b. Tomlinson et al (2017) avowed that employers focused more on work experience to make employment decisions during selection.…”

Learning in Context: A First Look at a Graduate Apprenticeship

“…However, Smith et al later surveyed apprentices at six institutions across Scotland and found that they came from all socio-economic backgrounds and included both those who had already worked in IT and those who were new to the sector. They identify the impact of employer selection as a key factor in social mobility and describe the apprenticeship as a "belated opportunity for social mobility" [32]. Finally, Smith et al also explore to what extent these new programs help to address the gender imbalance in computing.…”

Signalling new opportunities? An analysis of UK job adverts for degree apprenticeships

“…Further, concerns have been raised that degree apprenticeships are less accessible to people from disadvantaged backgrounds, with only 17% of new starts drawn from such backgrounds in England in 2017/2018 (Battiston et al ., 2020). In terms of new hires, social mobility is not increasing (Smith et al , 2021; Cavaglia et al ., 2022). Mackay (2022) highlights the “middle class grab” (p. 208) for degree apprenticeships and calls on the government to incentivise employers to recruit with consideration for social mobility.…”