The University of Essex is the first university in the eastern region to deliver government-backed degree apprenticeships to help businesses develop young talent within the hi-tech sector.

Degree apprenticeships offer a cost effective opportunity to employers to

bring new talent, innovation, knowledge and hi-tech skills into their business or organisation.

Companies are being offered extensive financial support by the Government to start taking advantage of degree apprenticeships.

The University of Essex’s School of Computer Science and Electronic

Engineering has received approval to launch two official degree apprenticeship programmes – BSc Digital and Technology Solutions and BEng Electronic Engineering.

Dr Anthony Vickers from the School of Computer Science and Electronic

Engineering said: “We are expecting big interest as demand in the UK for people with high-calibre skills in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) is reaching unprecedented levels.

“Our new degree apprenticeships schemes offer innovative and cost effective ways for businesses to gain from the benefits of degree-level vocational training. Degree apprentices will have a great head start to their career.”

The Government pays two-thirds of the £9,000 course fees each year – meaning employers only have to cover a third of the cost.

Existing employees can apply for an apprenticeship to further their skills and larger businesses can get training costs offset against the government’s new apprenticeship levy. Smaller businesses can take advantage of a range of government incentive schemes.

Find out more essex.ac.uk/business/training/apprenticeships/