Workplaces that are inclusive of people from less affluent backgrounds undoubtedly have an advantage. Socioeconomically diverse businesses have better employee wellbeing, increased productivity and improved employee retention, according to the Social Mobility Commission. But despite this, only 12% of apprenticeship places are currently filled by people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
That’s because people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds face a number of barriers to a higher skilled career, such as concerns about the risks and costs of a degree, a lack of information, or home responsibilities that take precedence over career advancement. To reach this pool of potential talent and build an eager and diverse modern workforce, businesses need to take a targeted approach. A popular way to do this is to form partnerships with apprenticeship providers such as the University of Greenwich.
The University of Greenwich has long been a leader when it comes to helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to earn higher salaries. In fact, the Institute for Fiscal Studies, in partnership with the Sutton Trust and Department for Education, placed the university (pdf) as one of the top five in the UK for social mobility in a landmark study. The university was found to have high access rates for students from disadvantaged backgrounds who went on to have success in the labour market.
As a result of this commitment to diversity and inclusion, the University of Greenwich was awarded £1.2m in funding from the Office for Students (OfS) last year. The funding will be used to help create and deliver degree apprenticeships for underrepresented groups in higher education. The university is now working to grow its network of employers who will employ the talented apprentices they train in health, construction and engineering.
Apprentices studying at the University of Greenwich are ambitious and hardworking individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds. Teresa Riley is an adult nursing degree apprentice at Oxleas NHS foundation trust. She says she couldn’t afford to give up work and fund a degree independently. However, her apprenticeship through the university has given her both the academic and practical skills needed to do her job well. “I have more confidence to discuss care with my colleagues using evidence-based practice – for example, the benefits of teaching patients lip breathing exercises,” she says.
Riley says the apprenticeship has “exceeded expectations”. The mixture of lectures, seminars, self-directed study, simulation and placements have provided her with “in-depth knowledge and skills”.
Apprenticeship programmes at the University of Greenwich are tailored to the needs of employers, focusing on the practical skills needed while on the job. For example, Roshen Bernadet says she has gained hands-on, practical experience in surgical procedures through her operating department practitioner apprenticeship. Through clinical placements, Bernadet is exposed to real-world scenarios, such as the use of anaesthetic machines. “I was trained to perform daily checks on anaesthetic machines, to set up the anaesthetic room for each surgical procedure and to assist the anaesthesiologist with anaesthetising, intubation and monitoring patients’ vital signs,” Bernadet says. The course has been very interactive and focused on the practical skills employers want, she says.
Juggling studying and work hasn’t always been easy for Bernadet, but it has been worth it for the extra skills she has gained and the respect it has given her in the workplace. “My apprenticeship has made a huge difference in the way my colleagues value me and my skills. I am recognised as a key member of the surgical team.”
Seyi B Alabi, a current mental health nurse apprentice, says the combination of practical and theoretical learning has made her better equipped to help patients. Through her apprenticeship, she says she has experienced a variety of placements, gaining feedback and theoretical knowledge. “The University of Greenwich has surpassed my expectations in the module delivery, availability of support from the lecturers, tutors and immense support among my peers,” she says.
Alice Stroud is working as an early intervention psychosis practitioner while studying a science master’s in advanced clinical practice at the University of Greenwich. “The role can be challenging but the apprenticeship has grown my knowledge,” she says. “[It’s enabled] me to support improved outcomes in the recovery for young people and their families.” Stroud, who is working towards becoming a nurse consultant, says she finds it inspiring to be surrounded by a diverse group of peers. “There is a need for more advanced practitioners, and I hope workplaces continue to support people in applying and completing the course,” she says.
Building a better, more diverse and more modern workforce is therefore beneficial for both apprentices and businesses. Partnering with leading organisations such as the University of Greenwich can give businesses access to talented and hard-working apprentices from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Take your next step to business success. Begin your apprenticeship journey with the University of Greenwich. Visit gre.ac.uk/apprenticeships
