The degree apprenticeship experience: perceptions of apprentices and their employers
Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning
ISSN: 2042-3896
Article publication date: 1 November 2024
Abstract
Purpose
The research presented in this paper deepens our understanding of the experience of apprentices and employers engaged in degree apprenticeships.
Design/methodology/approach
The research is focused upon ten in depth interviews. Data collection and analysis was undertaken following a grounded theory approach.
Findings
The data analysis identified broad themes relating to original motivation, experience and outcomes of the degree apprenticeship. Apprentices and their employers highlighted the potential of real-life work-based projects undertaken as part of the degree apprenticeship to be of direct value not only to the apprentice but also to the employer organisation.
Research limitations/implications
The study was exploratory in nature and based upon ten interviews across five different organisations. Although the methodology followed a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis, it is not claimed that there was the data saturation required as the basis to generate theory. The research provides insight to inform how apprentices, employers and degree apprenticeship providers might effectively work together.
Originality/value
The study is based on authentic first-hand accounts from apprentices and their employers. It identifies key themes of common interest, which suggest how future practice may be improved. The research suggests that work-based projects conducted as part of the degree apprenticeship have the potential to make a wider contribution to the employer organisation by increasing productivity.
Keywords
Citation
Garnett, J. and Reynier, P. (2024), "The degree apprenticeship experience: perceptions of apprentices and their employers", Higher Education, Skills and Work-Based Learning, Vol. ahead-of-print No. ahead-of-print. https://doi.org/10.1108/HESWBL-02-2024-0058
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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