Developing people. driving success. since 1892.
How higher and degree apprenticeships compute for business
If your business relies heavily on technology, having suitably skills staff is vital if you want to remain at the leading edge in your industry sector. The challenge here is that there is already a skills deficit in the digital industries and the pace of change is often so fast that it’s difficult for businesses to keep up never mind get ahead.
Higher and degree apprenticeships in computing at Blackpool and The Fylde College offer businesses the opportunity to develop the advanced digital skills critical to supporting business growth. What’s more, you can use them to upskill existing employees as well as to nurture new talent. Either way, higher and degree apprenticeships can help you to build a stronger workforce for today and for the future.
You’ve probably heard of the phrase ‘Big Data’ and are no doubt aware of issues like Cyber Security, but you may not be completely sure of how these could impact your business in the future. The bottom line is that companies who control and optimise their data effectively and who mitigate the risks posed by cyber attacks are the ones best placed to
drive their businesses forward. That’s why having an expert data analyst or cyber security professional on hand can bring real competitive advantage to your business.
Furthermore, unlike a traditional degree programme, the beauty of an apprenticeship is that you don’t lose your employee to full-time study. As they work and learn at the same time, they are able to integrate the knowledge and skills they acquire on an ongoing basis so your business can benefit immediately.
For businesses both big and small
Our higher and degree apprenticeships in computing are suitable for both levy and non-levy employers. We can accommodate a cohort of several employees from a single company as we do for Vodafone or an individual employee from a smaller organisation. What’s more, we are able to tailor the apprenticeship to the individual requirements of each employer to ensure they gain maximum benefit from the programme, all with the support that B&FC for Business provides to all our employer partners.
Apprenticeship cap for small businesses lifted
Robert Halfon, the Skills Minister, announced recently that the cap on apprentices for small businesses which was originally introduced in January 2020 has now been scrapped. This is great news for non-levy companies who previously had to rely on requesting levy transfers from larger employers to take on more apprentices than the cap allowed.
The removal of the cap means that businesses, who find apprenticeships are a very effective recruitment strategy, will now be able to employ as many apprentices as their business needs to bridge the skills gap in their organisation and provide a level of flexibility without having to worry about funding issues.
It’s worth remembering too, that the government currently pays 95% of the training costs for apprenticeships, rising to 100% for all 16 to 18 year-olds if your business employs 49 people or fewer. Moreover, apprenticeships aren’t only a way to develop new talent – you can offer an apprenticeship to existing employees who you want to upskill. It’s a very affordable way to train your workforce to help plug the skills gaps in your business and retain employees whose careers you want to nurture.
FOR MORE INFORMATION on how we can help small businesses benefit from Apprenticeships, please email business@ blackpool.ac.uk.
Your quarterly update Autumn 2023
Join us for our Digital Download Employer Event 19 October 2023 9am – 7pm Email business@blackpool.ac.uk
DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP
Want to seriously upskill your employees’ digital credentials to support your business’ growth? This innovative degree apprenticeship not only allows them to develop all the critical digital skills that the modern workplace requires, but also allows them to specialise in one of four pathways depending on what your business needs. Network engineering, cyber security, software engineering or data analysis area are available options, all of which are highly sought after skills in the digital technology sector.
Delivered online, the programme offers flexible learning with a blend of live sessions, self-paced activities and practical assignments that ensures a comprehensive learning experience, catering to diverse learning styles and busy schedules.
On successful completion, apprentices will emerge with a BSc honours degree awarded by one of the UK’s top 15 higher education providers – Lancaster University – and recognised by Tech Industry Gold, the only industry accreditation which supports high quality pathways in the digital technology sector.
The apprenticeship costs £26,000 in total and is eligible for drawdown from the apprenticeship levy or for up to 95% government funding.
If you would like more information on this apprenticeship, please call us on 01253 504 343 or email business@blackpool.ac.uk
DATA ANALYST HIGHER APPRENTICESHIP
This Level 4 apprenticeship programme is specifically focused on developing the skills of data professionals so that they can effectively use digital information to make better informed business decisions and plan strategic business goals.
The programme, which is delivered online, allows apprentices to gain expertise in the industry-standard software used for data analysis, learn how to create clear and competing visual representations of data, develop an understanding of statistical techniques used for interpreting data and acquire sector-specific knowledge to contextualise and interpret data effectively.
Having completed the apprenticeship, employees will be well placed to pursue a variety of data driven roles within your organisation such as data analyst, business intelligence analyst or data scientist. Overall, the programme lays a solid foundation for a successful career in the rapidly evolving world of data providing employees with ample opportunities for growth and development.
The apprenticeship is eligible for drawdown from the apprenticeship levy or for up to 95% government funding.
If you would like more information on this apprenticeship, please call us on 01253 504 343 or email business@blackpool.ac.uk
Contact us
Find out how B&FC for Business can be your partner in success. T 01253 504 343 E business@blackpool.ac.uk
Vodafone Group Service Limited (with whom B&FC partner for their Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship)
Developing
blackpool . ac.uk
people. driving success. since 1892.
“Since engaging with B&FC they have been nothing short of brilliant and we are so happy to have brought them on board; I am sure they will provide a fantastic learning experience for our apprentices.”