University of Suffolk, in Ipswich, to accelerate new degree apprenticeships after Government backing

The University of Suffolk has secured Government funding to accelerate the introduction of new level 6 degree apprenticeships.

The Ipswich-based university has secured £422,000 under the third wave of degree apprenticeships funding announced by the Office for Students.

The funding will be used to accelerate the introduction of a series of new level 6 apprenticeships at the university in 2025.

Those apprenticeship standards (which show what an apprentice will be doing and the skills required of them, by job role) include: supply chain leadership programme; project manager; environmental practitioner; environmental health practitioner; construction site management; design and construction management; architectural assistant; and data scientist.

The funding does not apply to level 7 apprenticeships – those equivalent to a master’s degree.

Professor Jenny Higham, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, said: “This is great news for the university and evidence of successful partnership working. I am delighted to strengthen our commitment to offering degree apprenticeships.

“We will continue to expand our offer to meet the requirements of employers in our region.”

The Office for Students’ competition aimed to support a number of priorities, including growing the number of providers offering degree apprenticeships, bolstering the number of learners on degree apprenticeships, increasing equality of opportunity, and boosting the number of degree apprenticeship standards offered.

For the University of Suffolk, the priorities include expanding the offering to meet the skills needs and requirements of employers in the region, supporting regional growth projects such as Freeport East, Sizewell C and the Safe Suffolk Renters initiative, and responding to the skills demand for the NHS.

Yvonne Malpas, director of apprenticeships at the University of Suffolk, who led the successful bid for funding, said: “This will allow us to accelerate our growth plan and offer a more inclusive and diverse range of apprenticeship standards to meet the regional skills gaps.”

The University has enjoyed growth in its apprenticeship provision over recent years.

It is among a number of health and education partners to form the Centre of Excellence for Health Apprenticeships earlier this year, in a bid to help address workforce challenges in the health and social care sectors.

In addition, the university was ranked as the fifth highest university provider nationally for its overall apprenticeship achievement rate among small-medium sized providers for 2022/23.

John Blake, director for fair access and participation at the Office for Students, said: “Since we launched this degree apprenticeships fund last year, I have been continually impressed with the range, scope and ambition of the bids we have received, and this round of bids has been no different.

“I have been particularly pleased to see how universities and colleges have prioritised recruiting and supporting students from all backgrounds, and the successful bids have all demonstrated real commitment to addressing and removing barriers for students to succeed.”