Slough: QA unveils UK’s first-ever degree apprenticeships in IT

Award-winning IT apprenticeship provider QA Apprenticeships has launched the UK’s first work-based degree programmes for IT apprentices, offering young adults unrivalled progression routes from traineeship right through to degree within the digital sector.

Director Ben Pike said: “While building the IT apprenticeship market, we noticed that the accelerated growth of the UK technology sector has created demand for graduate-level skills within the workplace. Since we already have a high level of employer engagement, we believe our new degree programmes are a compelling offer for businesses as a real alternative to traditional computer science degrees.”

Working in collaboration with The University of Roehampton and The Tech Partnership, QA Apprenticeships has constructed the comprehensive BSc digital and technology solutions degree to address the real needs of today’s technology employers by offering three flexible specialisms: network engineering, software engineering and data analytics.

Each apprentice receives one-to-one technical skills coaching in the workplace, while the formal taught content is delivered through a blended learning approach of multimedia, practical exercises and intensive workshops. The programme includes modules based upon QA’s detailed knowledge of subjects such as big data, DevOps, The Internet of Things (IoT), cloud technologies and Bring Your Own Device (BYOD).

Apprentices from Bath-based systems integrator IPL are among the first intake to learn real-world IT skills on the QA Apprenticeships degree programme. They started their training at the beginning of October.

“The QA degree apprenticeship is perfect for our business,” said Lyn Penfold, IPL business services director.  “The programme means we can get highly-capable staff in the workplace quickly, and help them to learn genuine skills that benefit our business. It’s a fantastic way for talented young people to kick-start their careers in this exciting industry.”

Recognising that business doesn’t operate in term time, QA has developed the programmes to offer four start dates – October, January, April and July each year – enabling year-round employment.

To help plug the UK technology skills gap, the Government announced degree apprenticeships earlier this year as a way of bringing together the best of higher and vocational education. Under the new model, the Government funds most of the training, which is topped up by employers, who are eligible for performance-based rewards throughout the programme.

QA Apprenticeships is a multi-award winning provider of IT and business services apprenticeships, rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted and winner of Microsoft Worldwide Learning Partner of the Year 2015.

In the past five years QA Apprenticeships has kick started over 5,000 careers, and the company plans to reach the milestone of 10,000 by summer 2016.