Higher Apprenticeships
Higher Apprenticeships were introduced in 2009 in the Engineering and IT sectors. Designed to meet employers' need for higher level skills, Higher Apprenticeships are an excellent way of developing and motivating your workforce to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of the organisation.
Like Intermediate and Advanced Level Apprenticeships, they combine a range of on and off the job training and can vary in the length of time they take to complete, depending on your business needs.
Support from professional bodies
Recent research1 into stimulating the supply and support of Higher Apprenticeships through the engagement with professional bodies identified that 70% of to the professional bodies interviewed, believed that Higher Apprenticeships were a great way for professionals in their sector to become fully qualified.
View the full research report (PDF) »
Current Higher Apprenticeships
In 2010 the Government announced its commitment to grow Higher Apprenticeships. As a result, there are now eight to choose from, with additional Apprenticeship frameworks being developed in several occupational areas, creating career pathways right through to higher level roles and on-going opportunities to maximise the benefits of a highly skilled workforce.
Currently, Higher Apprenticeships are available in the following areas:
Higher Apprenticeship |
Level |
Accounting |
4 |
Business and Administration |
4 |
Contact Centre Operations |
4 |
Engineering Technology |
4 |
Food and Drink |
4 |
IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals |
4 |
Providing Financial Advice |
4 |
Leadership and Management |
5 |
You can view further information about these and all of the types of Apprenticeships available in our Types of Apprenticeships section.
Developing new Higher Apprenticeships
Further information about these and all Apprenticeship frameworks, including those in development, can be found on the Apprenticeship Frameworks Online (AFO) website. If you wish to become involed in the development of new Higher Apprenticeships, please follow the link below.
Find out more about developing frameworks »
Higher Apprenticeship Fund
The Prime Minister has now launched the Higher Apprenticeship Fund round two. Through the Higher Apprenticeship Fund round two the National Apprenticeship Service will target a number of sectors to increase the development and delivery of Higher Apprenticeships across the BIS growth sectors.
The £6m funding announced is part of the £25m programme of targeted support to help employers benefit from Higher Apprenticeships that was first set out in the Government’s Plan for Growth last year and finally announced as an initiative in July 2011.
This investment confirms our joint interest in the rapid development of Higher Apprenticeship opportunities and in the creation of progression pathways within Apprenticeships that will transform an individual’s experience and career development prospects.
Round Two of the bidding closed on 23 March 2012. The applications for the fund are now being assessed.
First Round of bidding
The first round of bidding to the £25m Higher Apprenticeship Fund was opened by the Prime Minister in July 2010. In December, nineteen partnerships comprising employers and training providers were awarded £19m to support more than 19,000 degree level Apprenticeships benefiting 250 employers. These include Leyland Trucks, Unilever, TNT, and Burberry
1 Higher Apprenticeships and Professional Bodies – A report for the National Apprenticeship Service by Christina Williams & William Hanson (PARN)
Last Updated: 16/04/2012