Youth Employment UK’s Ambassador Euan shares his experience of being a degree apprentice and the benefits he has seen. Euan does his apprenticeship with IBM and the University of Kent.
Degree apprenticeships are one of the many routes you can explore, find out more about all of them and find support in our careers hub.
What exactly is a degree apprenticeship?
A degree apprenticeship is a job, which combines work with higher-level learning, you can learn more about it here.
You spend 80% of your time at work and 20% of your time studying for a degree (level 6 = Bachelor’s, level 7 = Master’s). A degree apprenticeship gives you real-world experience in addition to the knowledge and theory you’ll learn while studying for a degree. Your degree subject will typically be industry-based, meaning it is a degree geared towards helping you excel in a particular career.
I am very happy that I chose to complete a degree apprenticeship over attending university full-time or any other routes…I’m not opposed to attending university full-time; this is just me expressing why I’m glad I’m on this path!
The fact that you do not incur student fees is a big advantage! Whatever degree apprenticeship you begin, you will be studying for a degree/degree-level qualification which your employers will pay for.
My Experience as an Apprentice:
My apprenticeship experience has been extremely positive! I’ve been with IBM for over a year and have seen my career grow from strength to strength. Working as a Service Designer for one of our elite accounts has allowed me to take on a lot of responsibility. This means I’m exposed to high-value deals and work with clients daily, pushing me out of my comfort zone and allowing me to hone my craft and become an expert in my field.
As a Chartered Business Management Degree Apprentice, I will obtain Chartered Management Status (CMgr MCMI) in addition to my Business Management degree! This means that at the age of 21, I will have attained the highest level of management and leadership.
The benefits I have seen:
Your employer will pay you a in addition to the education expenses they already cover! When compared to most other apprenticeships, degree apprenticeship salaries often start out quite high, and most companies also increase salaries throughout the course as you gain more experience and responsibility!
Degree apprenticeships provide an enormous amount of experience! Due to working full-time while studying, you will have 3+ years of experience by the end of your degree compared to full-time university students. In a world where employers are increasingly valuing experience, this puts you in a very appealing position when considering your next steps. Furthermore, The Times recently published an article that articulates this benefit; I recommend that everyone reading this read it!
Within your company, there will be numerous opportunities for you to network and grow in areas that are not necessarily related to your role, allowing you to develop skills in a variety of areas. You can also get involved in many external organisations that value your assistance as an apprentice; this can lead to many other opportunities daily that allow you to further develop your skills.
My final thoughts:
I cannot recommend degree apprenticeships highly enough. If you haven’t considered them as a future path, I’d simply ask why not? Do some research; that is the best place to begin. Believe me when I say that a whole new world of possibilities awaits you. If you ever want to talk about degree apprenticeships, please reach out to me on LinkedIn; it would be my pleasure to speak with you.
You can read more Youth Ambassador stories, and volunteer as a Youth Ambassador if you live in the UK and you’re aged 16-24.
