Degree Apprenticeships - Information for Employers
Higher and degree apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers to ensure that learners develop the skills and knowledge relevant to your business needs.
Why partner with Kingston University?
Strong focus on teaching excellence and industry-led learning.
This focus helps us prepare apprenticeships to develop the professional competences for enhanced employability and progression. We work closely with trailblazer groups, local businesses and professional bodies for successful delivery of higher and degree apprenticeships as per the approved standards.
Our collaboration with industry experts has given us the required experience to develop programmes that combine academic qualification together with on the job training.
The number of our apprenticeship programmes have been steadily increasing year on year and we are committed to developing more programmes in line with workforce needs across the country within different sectors.
What are the benefits of apprenticeships for employers?
Attract and retain skilled employees: Higher and degree apprenticeships can be used to upskill your existing members of staff and broaden your talent pool of new recruits. Participation in the scheme demonstrates a clear commitment to staff development. You can also benchmark your professional development offering against industry standards, which can support talent management and staff retention initiatives.
Meet business needs: Higher and degree apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers to ensure that learners develop the skills and knowledge relevant to your business needs.
Gain value for money: Funding is generated through the apprenticeship levy and allows larger employers to use their contribution to pay for professional training within their organisation. Higher and degree apprenticeships are available to SMEs by co-investment.
Enhance your reputation: Participating in the higher and degree apprenticeship initiative demonstrates your commitment as an employer to offer and invest in the continuous professional development of your workforce.
Our working relationship with Kingston is excellent – I have always found my contacts at the university to be quick to respond and helpful, and to respond positively and professionally to any feedback offered.
How are degree apprenticeships funded?
Apprenticeships are funded by the Education & Skills Funding Agency (ESFA) through a levy. Where employers do not pay into the levy, funding may be received from European Social Fund (ESF) match project.
In April 2017, the Government introduced the apprenticeship levy to create long term sustainable funding for quality apprenticeships and to give employers more control over the range of apprenticeship opportunities available to their staff.
The levy means there is more money available than ever before for apprenticeship training. It also allows employers to choose which apprenticeships they offer, how many and when.
Income from the levy is used to fund apprenticeship training for all. The levy is paid by large employers with a pay bill of over £3 million (they pay 0.5% of their total annual pay bill). Smaller employers, those with a total annual pay bill of less than £3 million, will have 95% of the cost of their apprenticeship training funded from Government. They pay just 5% of the cost of their apprenticeship training.
More information about funding can be found on the government website.
What are Apprenticeship standards?
Apprenticeship standards are developed by employer groups known as 'trailblazers'. They describe the occupational profile linked to the knowledge, skills and behaviour that bring full competence in a particular occupation.
The apprenticeship standards describe how an apprentice can demonstrate mastery of this occupation by the end of the apprenticeship. A list of apprenticeship standards can be found on the Institute for Apprenticeships & Technical Education (IfATE) website.
Kingston University apprenticeships are supported by the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Contact us
Interested in how apprenticeships can support your organisation and employees?
Email the apprenticeship team at degreeapprenticeship@kingston.ac.uk for more information.
