Has the Welsh Government carried out any work to look at the benefits of degree-level apprenticeships in STEM subjects, including mechanical, electrical and civil engineering?
We have committed in our Programme for Government to expanding the use of shared and degree apprenticeships and have commissioned an independent formative evaluation.
The objectives for the evaluation, which were jointly agreed with the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW), include primary research to identify benefits for employers and the apprentices. The programme is currently focussed on STEM subjects, including engineering. Initial findings will be published in the autumn and the main findings, including the primary research, will be published by the end of the year.
In addition to directly commissioned research, we work with delivery partners and stakeholders to learn from activity they undertake. For example HEFCW has commissioned the Quality Assurance Agency to undertake a programme development review. The report will consider the benefits of degree apprenticeships including: addressing skills-gaps and workforce planning; the enabling of technical innovations, the added value of work-based projects, increased competiveness and the opportunities to widen access and encourage females into STEM careers.