This four-year degree is accredited by the Tech Partnership Gold Industry. The course has been designed by employers and universities seeking to meet the technical, business and interpersonal skills to excel in digital careers.
Celebration of life-changing apprenticeships
Employers and universities from across the UK recently came together at IBM Southbank to celebrate the impact of employer-accredited Tech Industry Gold degree apprenticeships: life-changing opportunity for individuals, an influx of much needed talent for employers, and new ways to generate economic value for universities.
The degree apprentices also talked about the importance of gaining a degree, both as a passport to opportunity in a sector where a degree is expected for so many jobs and as a respected qualification in their communities. All said they were so grateful for the opportunities they have been given that they now make time outside of their work and study to share their stories and encourage others make the most of their capability through degree apprenticeships.
The employer and Higher Education speakers were full of praise for the achievements of their degree apprentices and the value of working together in the rich community of universities offering Tech Industry Gold accredited programmes and employers supporting them.
Employers and universities discuss the value of the unique Tech Industry Gold community
- IBM CEO Bill Kelleher explained that, in common with other leading companies, IBM will only use digital degree apprenticeships which are accredited as Tech Industry Gold, as they can buy with confidence knowing that employers across the economy have approved them for content, quality and employer-focused delivery.
- Simon Bolton, CIO of Jaguar Land Rover talked about how much he values the capabilities coming into his workforce through Tech Industry Gold degree apprentices.
- Encouraging social mobility and improving the gender balance were key objectives for Accenture's involvement, explained Damian Corneal, who also talked about the value of working with employers across all sectors with a common need for digital skills.
- Damian Jacobs of Lloyds Banking Group told of the changes the degree apprenticeship has made to recruitment practices, enabling them to move from competency-based to strength-based interviews, and they are pleased degree apprenticeships are attracting people who will become the first in their family with a degree. Many of the employers agreed they can now recruit based on aptitude and a passion for technology, rather than existing qualifications and skills.
- Andy Cripps shared Quicksilva's experience as a 20-person SME, finding their university partner, Winchester, extremely responsive and willing to make changes to best meet their needs. Andy particularly valued the emphasis on interpersonal skills and project management, as well as the fact that apprentices are quickly applying their knowledge in real life environments with industry standard technologies. Building on this, David Seddon of Blackpool and The Fylde College gave an example of one of their degree apprentices receiving a £1,000 bonus from their employer because of the substantial amount of money the company saved as a result of the apprentice's work.
More on the BSc Digital Technology Solutions degree apprenticeship at the University of Greenwich.
