University receives £1.2m degree apprenticeships boost

The University of Derby has been awarded £1.2 million to help close skills gaps in the region.

It has been awarded the money by the Office for Students to support the development and expansion of degree apprenticeships.

It will be used to support the delivery of new degree apprenticeships, facilitate continuing engagement with potential apprentices and employers, and raise aspirations of those living in the region.

It comes on top of more than £300,000 given to the university by the Office for Students in January.

The latest funding will be used to develop new degree apprenticeships, including a Project Manager programme to support skills needs in the region.

It will provide support for the growing nuclear industry, adding to the apprenticeships offered at the Nuclear Skills Academy, which is run in partnership by the university and Rolls-Royce.

A new Public Health Practitioner degree apprenticeship will also be developed, which will help address the training requirements for the UK’s public health workforce.

In addition to new programmes, the funding will support increased awareness of and participation in apprenticeships that currently experience low take-up across the country.

These include programmes in the nuclear and aerospace industries, as well as a range of health care apprenticeships, including in diagnostic radiography and operating department practice.

Dr Denise Baker, pro vice-chancellor dean of the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care at the University of Derby, said: “This funding will provide a major boost to our efforts to address significant skills gaps in our region and across the UK.

“It will enable us to work even more closely with employers to promote apprenticeships, offer peer support – especially for smaller and medium-sized organisations – and support employers to maximise their use of the apprenticeship levy.

“The University of Derby already has a strong reputation for its apprenticeships in the region with a proven track record of engaging with industry, and this support from the Office for Students will help us to develop closer industry ties to benefit apprentices and the sectors in which they work.”