Hundreds of students have studied degree apprenticeships at the University in just over three years
The University of Portsmouth is helping hundreds of students to earn while they learn after overseeing a large growth in degree apprenticeships in just over three years.
At the start of National Apprenticeship Week (3-9 February), the University can reveal the number of degree apprenticeships has grown from 7 students starting a Chartered Manager degree apprenticeship in September 2016, to a total of 608 across 17 apprenticeship programmes in February 2020.
In a degree apprenticeship, students combine working for a company and studying towards a university degree, helping them earn a wage while gaining on-the-job skills and a relevant degree qualification.
Apprenticeships are being delivered across the University’s five faculties working with various types of employers, from large multinational organisations to small local companies. These have included degree apprenticeships with the Royal Navy, Portsmouth City Council, Hampshire County Council, Blanchard Wells, Estee Lauder, Mace, Osborne, Apollo Fire Detectors, Neilcott Constructions, Pfizer and Hampshire Chamber of Commerce.
Recent successes also include the launch of the Police Constable degree apprenticeship with 24 apprentices starting at Portsmouth in December 2019 and a further 66 planned for a July 2020 start to provide a new route into the policing profession. The Police Constable degree apprenticeships are being delivered by a consortium comprised of Portsmouth, Middlesex, Canterbury Christ Church and Cumbria universities, in partnership with Sussex and Surrey Police Forces.
Mike Punt, Director of Learning at Work at the University, said: “As a university we should be proud of our achievements, developing and delivering a wide range of apprenticeships, working with many large and small employers and supporting the development of apprentices skills and knowledge allowing them to progress their careers.
The effort across the university is a credit to all staff involved and shows the innovation and creativity to offer courses that meet both employer and apprentice needs.
Prospective students can visit our degree apprenticeships webpages or call the Degree Apprenticeships Team on +44 (0)23 9284 8599.
Employers who are interested in developing a degree apprenticeship with the University can call the team on +44 (0)23 9284 3865 or get in touch online.