Keele University is proud to offer apprenticeships across different sectors and specialisms. We provide a personalised approach, consulting with employers at all stages and have an evolving programme portfolio. Since 2018, Keele University has supported over 650 apprentices from more than 150 organisations.

We focus on ensuring the learning on our apprenticeship programmes can be applied into the workplace, placing employer requirements at the heart of what we do.

We have a strong track record of working with SMEs, through a range OF European Social Fund projects and through collaborations across our Keele University Science Park. Our Gateway offers a clear, easy and accessible route in for organisations, particularly SMEs, and our friendly and supportive Apprenticeship Team help to make onboarding simple.

However, we recognise that the number of SMEs we work with on degree apprenticeships is less than with our larger employer partners. Of course this could reflect the apprenticeships that we offer. To support more SMEs, we are determined to listen to better understand the challenges and barriers that smaller businesses are facing when considering taking on degree apprentices. We have recently received funding from the Office for Students (OfS), the independent regulator in England. This funding is to support the development of new degree apprenticeships and increase participation. We are using some of these funds to find out how to enable SMEs to consider and access degree apprenticeships and to develop resources and support. Whilst we offer degree apprenticeships which are linked to occupations which are sector specific, a number are applicable across industries.

One of our popular apprentices for SMEs is Senior Leader (delivered by MBA), designed for professional leaders with senior management authority. Taught in the context of real-world practice, the course offers the chance to develop advanced business knowledge to impact organisation strategy and professional career.

“The Senior Leader Apprenticeship has had a massive impact on my business. Each module I study, I go into the office and get my team involved in the learning to understand how this affects the company. The marketing module made us realise we had never considered who our target market was before…”

Jonathan Pritchard, Director of Anglesey Group of Companies

Data is revolutionising organisations and businesses. SMEs must develop data leaders who have industry relevant expertise in data science that can be applied directly to SMEs in a real-world context. The Keele Data Science Apprenticeship is concentrated on providing the analytical and technical skills to support the future facing data requirements of all sizes of business operating across a range of sectors.

Through OfS funding, Keele University are also consulting with employers to develop a Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship. This apprenticeship is an opportunity to support new entrants into management roles in the business or develop existing staff. The apprenticeship develops professional managers who can manage complexity and deliver strategic and operational impact with management and leadership responsibility for setting and delivering organisational objectives through a wide range of functions.

Our early discussions of challenges and barriers and, also what solutions SMEs would find most useful has seen some consistent themes emerge.

Firstly, knowing where to find information about apprenticeship programmes and what standards are available frustrates many SMEs. Information is available but identifying and navigating the plethora of agencies, organisations, and online resources available is not easy.

Where universities are concerned, SMEs want a clear understanding of where the university’s “front door” is, who they can trust to listen to them and provide a personalised needs-based service.

Another challenge is that SMEs evolve and constantly seek to remain competitive, often meaning that processes, products, and priorities are required to change. A degree apprenticeship is occupation specific, and delivery lasts for a long time. Should the SME require the apprentice to change occupational and/or technical focus to meet business need, could the apprentice’s learning be flexible enough to accommodate this?

Another concern is retaining an apprentice after supporting and investing in their development which is important for all employers including SMEs. Strategic workforce development planning conducted in collaboration with a university partner could inform and underpin the planning and delivery of degree apprenticeships. This would result in the retention of talented employees and important return on investment for the SME. Of course, where a much-valued apprentice moves on, value will have been gained through the real contribution made during training and the retention risk can be mitigated through rewarding careers and progression opportunities.

Another challenge is the requirement to provide the apprentice with mentoring. Some SMEs express concern over internal capacity and ability to deliver this role effectively. Could focused and professional support from a university offering free mentoring training and support using accessible delivery methods, including a programme of facilitated peer-to-peer activities, to the SME, help? This could provide a solution to the capacity and competence concern and at the same time offer a professional development opportunity to the mentor.

Some SMEs have asked whether apprenticeship transfer policies could support an employee apprentice, having studied for several years but not finished their degree studies, to transfer to another employer and continue, unhindered, to complete their studies. Also, SMEs, with the length of learning and studying to complete a degree in mind, might welcome shortened progression routes. If universities could enable this, how would SMEs want progression routes shortened and how would this be best delivered?

To support more SMEs, we would love to hear from you about the challenges and barriers that smaller businesses are facing when considering taking on degree apprentices, so that we can provide support and create programmes that will have the best impact possible. Equally, if you know of something that works well in your business, we would like to understand more about that too.

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