Advanced Apprentices: progression to higher education

LEAD ORGANISATION

Progress South Central

ADDITIONAL ORGANISATIONS INVOLVED

Abingdon & Witney College, Amersham & Wycombe College, Basingstoke College of Technology, Farnborough College of Technology, Oxford and Cherwell Valley College

PROJECT SUMMARY

In spring 2010, Progress South Central conducted a survey of Advanced Apprentices studying at the LLN's partner colleges. The aim of the survey was explore the awareness and intentions of the Apprentices regarding higher levels of education. To allow comparison, the questions were the same as those in a recent similar survey conducted by Sussex Learning Network.

A total of 87 completed surveys were received, from five of Progress South Central's partner colleges. No one college dominated the returns, but the responses were dominated by Apprentices in technical programme areas, in particular 'Plumbing' and 'Electrical Engineering'.

IMPACT

The results gave some cause for concern around levels of awareness of HE qualifications among those surveyed. Less than 20% of those responding felt that they had much knowledge about Foundation Degrees, Higher Apprenticeship, Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) or NVQ Levels 4 & 5. The low awareness of the NVQ is perhaps particularly surprising when considering that all Advanced Apprentices will be undergoing an NVQ at Level 3 as part of their programme. 42% of those responding said they did not know enough about the available higher education options to make a decision as to whether HE might be for them. However, 70% of respondents did know that progression on to a higher education course after completing their Advanced Apprenticeship was possible and 35% indicated that they had definite plans to progress to an HE course after the completion of their Apprenticeship. Of these, 42% were considering a HND or HNC, 38% a Foundation degree, 13% an NVQ Level 4 and 8% a Higher Apprenticeship.

Over half of those responding considered that they would have the support of their employer to do a HE course after their Apprenticeship. There were a large number of 'not sure' responses to this question, although this may perhaps have been simply because those concerned had not given the matter thought.

The results suggest that there may be a need to ensure that the opportunities and benefits of higher education are appropriately communicated to Advanced Apprentices. Colleges need to ensure that IAG on their current HE offer, and that of their partner HEI, is available and presented in a way that is readily accessible to employers and their Advanced Apprentices. There is an opportunity and need to raise Advanced Apprentices' awareness of the availability and nature of higher education progression options so that more informed progression choices can be made and the benefits understood. Liaison with both employers and Advanced Apprentices needs to be focused on ensuring that the benefits of higher education are clear and that the barriers to access are minimised by providing flexible access around work commitments, information on business benefits, costs and funding. Full use should be made of the National Apprenticeship Service to ensure engagement between providers, employers and Apprentices and a better understanding of the options for progression onto higher education.