The value of higher technical education

Did you know that higher technical qualifications at Level 4 and 5 result in higher productivity levels and sustained employment?

A new public awareness campaign to boost the popularity of higher technical education was recently launched by the government as plans were confirmed for a major reform in this area.

There are thousands of higher technical courses, and although some are excellent, some don’t incorporate the skills that employers need. Learners and employers find it difficult to judge the quality of a course, or whether it links to employment. Employers are facing skills shortages across the country – and they’re under even more pressure in the context of COVID-19.

To encourage more people to take higher technical qualifications, the government has outlined plans to:

introduce a national scheme to approve higher technical qualifications that provide the skills that employers are looking for
improve the provision and quality of higher technical courses, by working with Institutes of Technology and employers
encourage more people to take higher technical courses, with a new public campaign to showcase the benefits of higher technical qualifications, and the range of career opportunities they open up.

Senior Lecturer Kathryn Draper explained how the Level 5 Nursing Associate Higher Apprenticeship at NTU could fill the skills gap that employers are looking for: “The course is a development opportunity for those working in a health & social care setting to gain a foundation degree, allowing them to apply theory to practice of evidence-based and person-centred care.

“Once qualified, they’ll become registered professionals with the Nursing and Midwifery Council. The course at NTU has been collaboratively written with practice partners, allowing apprentices to understand how to provide care across the lifespan and four fields of nursing – adult, children, learning disability, and mental health.”

She continued: “Trainee Nursing Associates develop in confidence and competence within their place of work, assisting the nurses and team to provide more complex, accountable care to individuals and their families, to meet the needs of the local population.”

The recent measures announced by the government will boost the quality and take-up of higher technical education to help plug skill gaps, level-up opportunities and support our economic recovery.

*The £2,000 incentive is on top of an existing £1,000 incentive that already exists for 18-year-old apprentices as well as certain 19 to 24 year-olds.

It’s never been more affordable for businesses to take on an apprentice

With a brand new bonus introduced for businesses to hire apprentices over the next six months, this means that employers could receive up to £3,000* for hiring an apprentice between August 2020 to January 2021.

Find out what this means for your business in a post-pandemic landscape, and how the team here at NTU can help you to stay competitive and develop, diversify and retain your workforce cost-effectively.

Please get in touch with our Apprenticeships team by emailing apprenticeships@ntu.ac.uk or phoning 0115 848 2589, and find out how we can help your business today.