Yorkshire has a major role to play in Britain’s economic future, of that there is no doubt. But in an economically turbulent time, we need to fully understand the challenges we face if we want to seize the opportunity.
At Sheffield Hallam, we believe that economic growth in our part of the world is especially dependent on high-skilled jobs, and having people available to fill those jobs.
We are one of the largest apprenticeship providers in the country, as well as being home to the National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships.
We see apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships – in which apprentices study for a degree, while working and earning a salary at the same time – as having a massive role to play, both regionally and nationally. in 2022 found that apprentices add £700m to the national coffers each year; for organisations thinking about the best ways to invest in our region, nothing is more futureproof than investing in people.
For businesses, the benefits of degree apprenticeships are two-fold: they allow you to grow your own talent from the ground up, and to help existing staff to train and progress.
Grassroots talent
Many businesses will find the prospect of training and moulding new talent attractive, but also risky. It can feel like a big step to invest considerable resource into someone who is right at the start of their career, without any sort of guarantee or safety net.
This is where degree apprenticeships fill a gap. By taking on a degree apprentice, you’re getting the guarantee of someone who will be educated to a degree-level, while also having the benefit of training that person in your business and your industry.
Apprenticeship programmes are designed by businesses for businesses, with support from us, as the provider, to evaluate the course content and ensure students are armed with the right knowledge. This means apprentices develop the exact skills and expertise they need to progress in specific industries and with the organisations who trained them.
Even so, it isn’t all about impact in the future. Higher apprentices do valuable work and make a real difference from day one – bringing fresh perspectives to organisations. Young people have unique understandings and different viewpoints, things which help businesses to innovate and compete in new markets.
Investing in your people
A very common misconception which we deal with is that degree apprenticeships are only for young people. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Apprenticeships work best when they work for everyone. They train people in desperately needed skills, for key industries. Businesses are crying out for more senior leaders with advanced skills, and degree apprenticeships are a way to provide that in an ever-changing economy.
Our Digital Technology Solutions Specialist course, as an example, is extremely popular as it focuses on advanced software and data analytics – the kind of knowledge that leaders increasingly need, but few have.
Similarly, our Senior Leader apprenticeship is specifically targeted at people who are experienced in their industry, and hoping to take the next step into management. This course helps businesses to retain and progress their teams, something which is more and more important in competitive sectors.
At Hallam, we will always beat the drum for apprenticeships. We know firsthand that they are one of the best ways to train a highly skilled workforce, and to get the national and regional economy booming.
We’re incredibly proud to house the National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships right here in Yorkshire. It means there is no better place to invest in skills and talent than in our region. For businesses which are serious about their workforce, degree apprenticeships may well be the answer. Getting in touch with our team could be the first step into your future.
This article originally appeared in Insider Yorkshire's April / May 2025 edition. If you want to find out more about how an apprenticeship can benefit your business, you can email Sheffield Hallam at business@shu.ac.uk.
