TY - JOUR
T1 - A multi-institutional exploration of the social mobility potential of degree apprenticeships
AU - Fabian, Khristin
AU - Smith, Sally
AU - Taylor-Smith, Ella
AU - Berg, Tessa
AU - Zarb, Mark
AU - Barr, Matthew
AU - Paterson, James
N1 - © 2021 The Author(s)
PY - 2021/7/10
Y1 - 2021/7/10
N2 - This mixed-method study at six universities asked degree apprentices about their trajectories into the apprenticeship, to better understand the social mobility potential of apprenticeships. The degree apprenticeship offers a route to a degree for apprentices, who are employees studying for a degree. As a new model, little is known about the apprentices: who they are, their journey towards this degree, and whether they fulfil the social mobility aspirations expressed by apprenticeship policymakers. Computing and IT apprentices at six universities in Scotland, UK, were surveyed (n=160) to ask about their background and previous experience. Interviews (n=28) were carried out with apprentices studying with one of the institutions, to enquire how their backgrounds impacted on their journey to this point. By taking a multi-institutional approach, the study reports findings across different degree apprenticeships and geographical locations. Apprentices were found to be drawn from all socio-economic groups and represented those new to work and upskillers, already in work. For upskillers, the degree apprenticeship offered a belated opportunity for degree-level study. However, young people recruited into the apprenticeship were disproportionally from more privileged groups. We make recommendations for recruitment and selection processes to increase equality of access to degree apprenticeship places.
AB - This mixed-method study at six universities asked degree apprentices about their trajectories into the apprenticeship, to better understand the social mobility potential of apprenticeships. The degree apprenticeship offers a route to a degree for apprentices, who are employees studying for a degree. As a new model, little is known about the apprentices: who they are, their journey towards this degree, and whether they fulfil the social mobility aspirations expressed by apprenticeship policymakers. Computing and IT apprentices at six universities in Scotland, UK, were surveyed (n=160) to ask about their background and previous experience. Interviews (n=28) were carried out with apprentices studying with one of the institutions, to enquire how their backgrounds impacted on their journey to this point. By taking a multi-institutional approach, the study reports findings across different degree apprenticeships and geographical locations. Apprentices were found to be drawn from all socio-economic groups and represented those new to work and upskillers, already in work. For upskillers, the degree apprenticeship offered a belated opportunity for degree-level study. However, young people recruited into the apprenticeship were disproportionally from more privileged groups. We make recommendations for recruitment and selection processes to increase equality of access to degree apprenticeship places.
KW - work-based learning
KW - graduate apprenticeship
KW - computing
KW - Social mobility
U2 - 10.1080/13639080.2021.1946494
DO - 10.1080/13639080.2021.1946494
M3 - Article
SN - 1363-9080
SP - 1
EP - 16
JO - Journal of Education and Work
JF - Journal of Education and Work
ER -