GAs were launched in 2017/18 and designed in collaboration between employers, universities, Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC). They are industry recognised and accredited qualifications which combine on and off the job learning at a higher level. The fact that they combine a job with academic study towards a degree, enables graduate apprentices to develop a range of skills necessary for the workplace. Being industry focused they ensure that graduate apprentices attain the right skills for the job and sector. Scotland believes that apprenticeships play an important role to support the long-term recovery post-pandemic and help respond to the future of work. In order to do this the government believe the approach needs to be demand-led and therefore fully reflective of the needs of industry. They aim to grow GAs in terms of number and sectors covered in order to do this. This paper examines the current role of GAs in Scotland’s skills system, explores the future skills landscape and considers opportunities to further strengthen the GA programme in Scotland (Emms et al., 2022). The findings suggest that GAs, already in their short life-span, play an important role in Scotland’s work-based learning offer, enabling graduate apprentices to develop the broader ‘meta-skills’ and rich workplace experience that are in demand from employers. Businesses recognise GAs as a key part of developing their talent pipeline, while graduate apprentices themselves are clear that these opportunities are a crucial step towards their chosen careers. They are also regarded as offering a flexible learning experience which is widening opportunities for individuals from a range of backgrounds, including adults of all ages and those from under-represented groups. The paper also finds areas of opportunity for GAs in order to strengthen their provision in Scotland. These include: building a truly flexible delivery system to support GAs for a diversity of people and employers; introducing an agile funding system led by employer demand and able to accommodate changes in skill needs; developing more diverse future frameworks; increasing awareness of the GA programme; Offering certainty and clarity of provision.

Emms, K., Laczik, A., Newton, O. and Wilson, E. (2021). Graduate Apprenticeships: Developing Scotland’s Future Workforce. London: Edge Foundation.