Breaking the Snobbery: Degree Apprenticeships and Career AdvancementI have returned to the world of apprenticeship delivery, after a six-year “EPAO” hiatus, bringing with me a fresh perspective.Having once understood the widely held opinion that the rise of degree apprenticeships was often termed simply as a “land-grab” by the middle classes, I am now witnessing firsthand the transformative impact that degree apprenticeships can have on individuals, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds.In a landscape where traditional higher education has long held a privileged status, the apprenticeship sector continues to face an ongoing battle against biases and misconceptions significantly in post-16 career advice and guidance. One such manifestation of this bias however is emerging from within, this time it is the reverse snobbery that undermines the value of higher-level, degree apprenticeships.I will attempt to offer a perspective from within a degree apprenticeship provider and challenge the belief that the apprenticeship system, levy and all, should be exclusively reserved for lower levels of vocational education, and aim to shed light on the immense career opportunities that higher-level apprenticeships offer.THE MIDDLE-CLASS MYTHGrowing up in a mining village in South Yorkshire, I had a very solid working-class upbringing that shaped my perspective on education and career opportunities. The economic decline experienced in the South Yorkshire coalfields during the 1980s had a profound impact on communities, education providers and the wider economy which resulted in limited educational opportunities for many.One prevailing criticism against degree apprenticeships is the perception that they predominantly benefit the middle class, enabling them to seize all the opportunities which the apprenticeship levy offers, while leaving the perceived working-class individual behind. However, this assumption fails to acknowledge the true potential of degree apprenticeships to break down barriers and provide equal access to career and professional advancement.The belief that apprenticeship funding should only be directed towards lower-level qualifications is often rooted in a number of factors.Firstly, there exists a historical association between apprenticeships and skilled trades such as construction, catering or hairdressing, which are commonly and wrongly perceived as more suitable for individuals from working-class backgrounds and that lower-level apprenticeships are the only route out of economic depravity.Secondly, there is a concern about the allocation of limited resources. The apprenticeship levy is a fund collected from employers to support apprenticeship training and development. Some argue that these funds should be prioritised for lower-level apprenticeships, which are seen as more directly aligned with workforce development and addressing skills shortages. From this perspective, investing in higher education through the apprenticeship levy may be seen as diverting resources away from areas with more immediate labour market needs.Thirdly, there may be a belief that higher education should be funded through alternative channels, such as tuition fees or student loans. The idea is that individuals pursuing higher education should bear the financial responsibility themselves, rather than relying on funds collected specifically for apprenticeships. This viewpoint emphasises personal accountability and the principle of individual investment in education.It is important to note that these opinions may be influenced by a variety of factors, including cultural and societal perceptions of apprenticeships and higher education, as well as economic and political considerations. The debate around the funding of higher education through the apprenticeship levy is complex and multifaceted, with varying perspectives on the appropriate use of these resources and the balance between different levels of education and training.It is crucia...

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