</Supporting National Apprenticeship Week 2021>
The Institute of Coding (IoC) is joining educators, employers and learners from around the UK to celebrate the 14th annual National Apprenticeship Week. This annual week-long celebration of apprenticeships shines a light on the amazing work being done across the country and the positive impact apprenticeships can have for both employers and apprentices.
Since the IoC’s launch in 2018, the number of apprenticeships available in digital, data and technology roles have increased. To date, more than 600 learners have enrolled on apprenticeship courses from IoC partners, spread over 50 UK employers.
Degree apprenticeships provided by IoC partners
Our partner universities have been expanding their digital apprenticeship offerings with the support of funding from the IoC. Working collaboratively with some of our 200+ industry partners, many of whom have a growing demand for people with higher-level digital and technology skills, the programmes have been developed and expanded to ensure that learners are getting the skills needed by the tech sector while boosting their employability.
IoC partners Aston University, University of Bath, University of Gloucestershire, Manchester Metropolitan University, Newcastle University, Queen Mary University London, University of Sunderland, and the University of the West of England (UWE) have created 13 digital apprenticeships at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels. With specialisms including digital & technology solutions, cyber security and digital marketing, you can view all available degree apprenticeship courses on our course catalogue.
One example programme is Manchester Metropolitan’s Digital Technology Solutions apprenticeship, which is their flagship IoC-funded course. It is the creation of a partnership of leading employers and Manchester Metropolitan University and has been designed to rapidly equip apprentices with the necessary skills required for a career in the digital and technology sectors.
“Finding out about degree apprenticeships was a game changer. It takes a lot of diligence, but long term the results will definitely be worth it.”
Cinderella Orah – Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprentice, Fujitsu
In recognition of this apprenticeship programme, the university won the AAC award for Digital Apprenticeship Provider of the Year, at the Annual Apprenticeship Awards 2020. Learn more here.
Working with industry
Degree apprenticeships can provide many benefits to businesses and the IoC has learners working with large range of employers from SMEs to multinational organisations, giving people a chance to work while they train. These programmes are helping employers to recruit new, entry-level apprentices into high-tech roles and develop existing employees to have technology skills needed for the future. Apprentices gain the skills and knowledge that employers need, while learning the values of business and making an impact.
One example is J.P. Morgan, who have been working with the University of Bath since 2019 on a new Digital Degree Apprenticeship programme. A first group, comprising of 15 people, began the new Level 7 programme in October 2018. As part of this programme, they spend the equivalent of one day per week studying for 2.5 years and obtain an MSc. accreditation once the course has been completed. The second cohort started in autumn 2019. You can learn about the programme and the benefits that J.P. Morgan have experienced here.
More information
If you want to find out more about National Apprenticeship Week, visit the Government’s apprenticeship website. To find out more about IoC courses, visit the course catalogue.