Government’s degree apprenticeship funding plans are major blow to finance firms – UVAC  

The Government’s plans to restrict levy funding of Level 7 apprenticeships could widen the skills gap and have a significant financial impact on finance companies looking to develop future managers and business leaders, or fill specialist roles, according to the University Vocational Awards Council (UVAC).

UVAC produced a national report in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University to explore the purpose of training apprentices of all ages to deliver jobs of the future.

The report also explored the importance of older apprentices and the impact higher and degree apprenticeships, such as those at Level 7, have on firms from a growth, employee retention, skills and productivity perspective.

Dr Mandy Crawford-Lee (pictured), chief executive for UVAC, said: “The Government’s policy aims to reduce levy funding of Level 7 apprenticeships is a major blow to financial services employers, the wider economy and the skills development of both senior level staff and those in specialist roles such as technology.

“It will largely affect those businesses with apprentices aged over 25 that rely on the current financial support to meet the cost of upskilling employees to be effective managers, business leaders or occupy more technical roles via level 7 and master’s degree apprenticeships.

“Given this Government’s current focus is economic growth and addressing social mobility, it makes no sense to introduce policy that could undermine it.

“Degree apprenticeships at level 7 are proven to enhance social mobility, by giving individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds the opportunity to follow a pathway into the professions, gain access to higher education and also achieve higher-paid, senior-level positions further in their career.

“Many people from underserved communities could now not realise their full earning potential as a result and miss out on opportunities to become highly skilled in their chosen profession.”