BUSINESSES across York and the wider region have been given the chance to tackle skills shortages and improve productivity through the launch of a degree apprenticeship programme.

York St John University is behind the new initiative which was created to help businesses make the most of the Apprenticeship Levy.

The Levy was introduced in April last year, and sees organisations with a payroll of more than £3 million required to contribute to the apprenticeship training levy via HMRC.

Businesses are then able to make use of the government scheme to offer employees the opportunity to develop high level, sought-after skills and knowledge.

The higher education apprenticeships offered by universities mean employees can combine on-the-job training with flexible study to get a foundation degree, bachelor’s degree or even a master’s degree in some sectors.

York St John University has developed a range of work-based higher and degree apprenticeships in collaboration with employers including the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA), to give aspiring and existing managers the opportunity to gain a BA Honours in Management and Leadership.

The York Executive MBA Apprenticeship launches in October and higher and degree apprenticeships, school business leadership, policing and laboratory science (starting in September) will follow over coming months.

Jo Burgess, Business Development manager for York St John’s Academic Alliances service encourages levy-paying businesses Yorkshire to make the most of the scheme.

She said: “Employers will lose out if they don’t access the levy by April 2019, so it’s incredibly important that we work together with businesses to create a well-qualified workforce in our region.

“For employers who see apprenticeships as an integral part of their talent strategy, degree-educated employees play a vital role in addressing higher level skills gaps.2

The first intake of chartered manager degree apprentices will begin life as students in October, taking a flexible approach to learning combined with all the benefits of a student experience on campus.

To find out more, contact Jo Burgess on (01904) 876 587.

Academic Alliances is a service from York St John University to deliver degree apprenticeships.