What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is an innovative training programme designed by industry that gives people the skills and practical experience they need to enter and excel in a profession. Apprenticeships are structured programmes which combine work based training with nationally and industry recognised certificates and qualifications.
- If you’re a training provider that would like to offer IT apprenticeships, think about joining our Partner Network
- If you’re an employer, read on to find out how we can help you offer IT apprenticeships and the benefits they can bring
How will apprenticeships help your business?
- Wage costs compare well to other recruitment routes – apprentices are paid a minimum of £100 per week
- Apprenticeships are likely to generate loyalty to your company among your trainees
- Apprentices bring an innate understanding of technology to your organisation
- Your apprentices will gain a deep understanding of your organisational culture early on in their career
How do you get involved?
With more than 500,000 new entrants needed for the IT sector over the next five years, ensuring a ready supply of enthusiastic and well-educated recruits is critical. The graduate route will always be an important source, but employers increasingly need to broaden their search if they are to find tomorrow’s IT professionals.
Apprenticeships offer a solution. They are a carefully structured and delivered programme of learning and experience that is creating high-quality employees across many sectors, including IT.
To increase the uptake of apprenticeships and enable more new recruits to enter our industry, the National Skills Academy for IT is currently developing four innovative apprenticeship programmes* in conjunction with a variety of employers - from SMEs to multinational companies.
Here are details on how to get involved:
IT Higher Apprenticeships
Higher apprenticeships combine the academic rigour of university and college education with practical, employer-defined training. They can lead to Foundation and Honours degree level qualifications.
With Higher Apprenticeship Fund support, we are aiming to increase the uptake of higher apprenticeships in the IT sector, creating a viable alternative to traditional graduate recruitment, by enabling employers to attract talented individuals at an early age and train them to suit their business needs.
We need your help to define the requirements and technical content of the programme and recruit the first IT higher apprentices.
Sector Managed Apprenticeships
Supported by the Government’s Growth and Innovation Fund, we are partnering with a range of employers to create a sector managed apprenticeship – an apprenticeship based on the model of a major technology company, but delivered by smaller organisations.
With employers, e-skills UK and the National Skills Academy for IT are creating a set of ‘Gold Standard’ apprenticeship delivery programmes for in-demand job roles. These will initially focus on Level 3 IT professional apprenticeships and give all apprentices an enriched learning experience that meets employers’ needs.
We are working with employers to guide the content and approach, and ensure the apprenticeship is relevant, appealing and accessible to the sector.
Value Added Apprenticeships
Enabled by the Government’s Employer Investment Fund, e-skills UK is developing a package to add value to existing apprenticeships. This will include activities such as events, learning support materials and lectures from core technology and business role models. There may also be the chance to visit some of the nation’s leading technology centres.
The programme will be designed with sector employers, to identify the enhancements needed to improve apprentices’ personal development, skills and knowledge. Employers can benefit from motivated IT apprentices on their staff with a wider appreciation and understanding of the business sector.
We are seeking employers to assist in the launch and growth of this project.
Pre-Apprenticeship Education
Again enabled by the Government’s Employer Investment Fund, e-skills UK is developing the concept of pre-apprenticeships further – creating an inspiring and practical education course for 16-19 year olds, which leads directly to IT apprenticeships. This will encourage more young people to enter IT through vocational pathways, by giving them the sector knowledge and technical and business skills that employers need from new apprentice recruits.
Working with an employer steering group, we will define the most valuable learning content that supports entry into apprenticeships and is matched to sector-defined employment entry criteria for young people.
We are looking for employers to join this group.
If you are interested in working with us to develop any of four programmes, please complete the enquiry form.
Alternatively if you would like to to recruit an apprentice from the Higher or Sector Managed Apprenticeships programmes, please register.