The new Degree Apprenticeship in Digital & Technology Solutions has been designed and developed by the Tech Partnership and Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU) together with leading employers such as Barclays, AstraZeneca, Lloyds Banking Group, Thales, Network Rail, DWP, Apadmi, Reality Mine, Shaping Cloud and Bright Future Software.
It is one of a number of new degree apprenticeship programmes to launch this autumn in the UK and is backed by the government, which funds two thirds of the course fees. The new programme will support the UK demand for the one million vacancies expected in the digital sector in the next decade.
‘Employers can be confident that their degree apprentices will be developing the very best and most relevant skills and knowledge that industry needs for its future development’
The apprentices will study towards a BSc (Hons) in Digital & Technology Solutions at MMU’s £75m business school, while working for their employer. This will prepare them to work in a variety of IT related roles and covers a flexible curriculum, enabling specialisation in either software development or business.
Professor Jean-Noël Ezingeard, Deputy Vice Chancellor, MMU, said: “Curriculum innovation is at the heart of Manchester Metropolitan University and we are delighted to be one of the first selected universities able to offer the Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship.
“Our programme has been developed in partnership with employers and accredited by the Tech Partnership for its content and quality. This means that the employers can be confident that their degree apprentices will be developing the very best and most relevant skills and knowledge that industry needs for its future development.”
The degree apprenticeship integrates academic learning at degree level with work-based training. Students earn while they learn and come away with skills that are directly relevant to employers, who have an opportunity to instil their own business culture and working style from an early stage. The programme is open to existing employees, as well as new entrants.