Businesses need to change their view of apprenticeships being only for young, inexperienced trainees, according to the dean of Aston Business School.
Professor George Feiger, Executive Dean, reacted to recent criticism that universities were exploiting the apprenticeship levy to recruit older, more experienced workers through MBAs and high-level courses.
Professor Feiger said it was wrong to see apprenticeships as being only for the young given that poor management is one of the main causes of the UK’s low productivity.
He said: “One of the country’s greatest challenges is our dwindling productivity – and a core aim behind the apprenticeship levy is to jump start workplace performance by injecting much needed skills.
“One of our biggest skill deficits is in management. 71 per cent of businesses do not train first-time managers according to the Chartered Management Institute. The high-profile collapse of huge companies like Carillion should be a sharp reminder of the need for businesses to invest in leadership skills.
“The idea that an apprenticeship can only be for a young, inexperienced trainee is old-fashioned. The apprenticeship levy has broadened the definition to encompass skills that do not fit the traditional mould but are nonetheless vital to jump-starting productivity.
“The evidence is clear – better managers lead to more efficient workforces, and if firms believe this is a barrier to growth it is right that they should be free to spend their levy funds as appropriate, just as if a software company wanted to fill a shortage in coding skills.”
Aston University was the first in the UK to launch degree apprenticeships, and are currently the only university to have produced degree apprenticeship graduates in partnership with global consultancy firm Capgemini.
The university recently reacted to the government cap on funding for Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeships by unveiling a new version of its existing Executive MBA repriced to match the £18,000 tariff.
The move means that employers can use the levy to send their staff to study for an Executive Apprenticeship MBA – one of the first MBA programmes to be created for apprentices. The programme’s first cohort started in April.
“Our ‘levy-friendly’ Executive Apprenticeship MBA opens up our expertise to ambitious senior staff who want to learn how to be an effective leader,” Professor Feiger added.
“The solution to improving a business’s productivity has to start at the top, and by widening access for senior managers we are providing a valuable opportunity which is good for companies, good for careers, and good for the nation’s productivity.”
