QA unveils UK’s first IT degree apprenticeship scheme
16 October 2015
The apprentice: IPL's Matt Hann is one of the first students on the new programme.
QA has unveiled the UK’s first work-based degree programme for IT apprentices. The training specialist and IT apprenticeship provider claims its “ground-breaking” programmes now offer young adults unrivalled progression routes from traineeship right through to degree within the digital sector.
“Whilst we have been building the IT apprenticeship market, we have noticed the accelerated growth of the UK technology sector has created demand for graduate-level skills within the workplace,” says Ben Pike, director, QA apprenticeships. “Since we already have a high level of employer engagement, we believe our new degree programmes are a compelling offer for businesses as a real alternative to traditional computer science degrees.”
Working in collaboration with The University of Roehampton and The Tech Partnership, QA Apprenticeships has created the BSc Digital and Technology Solutions degree course. It says the “comprehensive” programme addresses the real needs of today’s technology employers by offering three flexible specialisms: network engineering; software engineering; and data analytics.
As part of the course, each apprentice will receive one-to-one technical skills coaching in the workplace, while the formal taught content is delivered through a blended learning approach of multimedia, practical exercises and intensive workshops.
QA adds that the programme includes modules based upon its detailed knowledge of subjects such as big data, DevOps, the Internet of Things, cloud technologies and BYOD.
Recognising that business doesn’t operate in ‘term time’, the company offers four start dates each year – October, January, April and July. It says this enables year-round employment.
Apprentices from Bath-based systems integrator IPL are among the first students who began the course earlier this month. They include Matt Hann who says: “The attraction of the apprenticeship scheme was to combine a recognised degree with real workplace experience. Combining the two can be challenging, as you’re doing a full time job alongside study, but it’s incredibly rewarding and I’ve learned a huge amount from being immersed in a workplace environment every day.”
IPL’s business services director Lyn Penfold adds: “The programme means we can get highly-capable staff in the workplace quickly, and help them to learn genuine skills that benefit our business. It’s a fantastic way for talented young people to kickstart their careers in this exciting industry.”
To help plug the UK technology skills gap, the government announced degree apprenticeships earlier this year as a way of bringing together the best of higher and vocational education. Under the new model, the government funds most of the training, which is topped up by employers, who are eligible for performance-based rewards throughout the programme.