Apprenticeships are more important than ever in helping
businesses to recruit the right people and develop the skills
they need.
Since 2015, we have transformed apprenticeships into a
prestigious option that better meets the skills needs of
employers across the country.
And now, under new plans, young people will be able to use UCAS
to search and apply for apprenticeships, alongside degrees – so
that they can better decide which route best suits them.
Here’s what you need to know.
What’s changing and when?
Over 1.5m students already use the UCAS Hub to access
information on different education and training routes.
From autumn 2023, students will be able to explore apprenticeship
opportunities alongside undergraduate courses within the Hub,
allowing them to discover and decide between their options in the
same place for the first time.
It will also show students the different routes into a single
career destination, meaning if a student is interested in, for
example, engineering, they will see the undergraduate and
apprenticeship routes displayed side-by-side.
From autumn 2024, students will then be able to apply for
apprenticeships within the UCAS Hub and employers will be able to
manage applications for their apprenticeship vacancies through
UCAS too.
How will the application system work?
So that as many apprenticeship vacancies are advertised through
the Hub as possible, the Government will collaborate with UCAS to
share vacancy information collated through its Find an
Apprenticeship Service, which already collates and advertises
thousands of opportunities.
Our aim is to develop a seamless ‘one-stop shop’ where a young
person can explore all the high-quality options and learn about
the skills and knowledge they need to develop and succeed in
their chosen career, whether that’s through a level 2
apprenticeship, a T Level, a degree, a Skills Bootcamp, a higher
technical qualification, or a degree apprenticeship.
Why has this been introduced?
Presenting students with all their choices
in one place will not only transform the apprenticeship offering
but create real parity by putting these options side-by-side with
undergraduate courses.
Almost half of people that register on UCAS say they would
consider an apprenticeship, but currently there are not enough
vacancies being advertised through the service to meet growing
demand.
The plans will help put technical and vocational education on an
equal footing with traditional academic routes.
By opening up the service to apprenticeship opportunities,
thousands more young people will benefit from a wider choice of
high-quality options.
Employers will also benefit from better access to talent on UCAS
and the ability to manage their apprentice recruitment process.
