The first degree-level apprenticeship in economics has been launched following the signing of a new partnership between the University and the UK Civil Service.
The apprenticeship will create new routes to careers in the Civil Service for young people who would prefer to study for a degree whilst working at the heart of government.
The partnership between the University and the Government Economic Service (GES) was signed on 20 September and will see Kent’s School of Economics delivering the new degree-level apprenticeships in conjunction with its Centre for Higher and Degree Apprenticeships.
Professor Karen Cox, University Vice-Chancellor and President, said: ‘We are proud to have been selected to deliver the programme, working with colleagues across the Government Economic Service. At Kent we have a long history of delivering undergraduate degree courses in economics to a very high standard.
‘We are looking forward to working with GES to deliver an apprenticeship programme which provides participants with on and off the job training and support that will prepare them for long and successful economist careers.’
Clare Lombardelli, Joint head of the Government Economic Service and Chief Economic Adviser at HM Treasury, said: ‘We are delighted to launch this new programme, which we hope will create new opportunities for talented young people from all parts of the communities we serve to consider economist careers in Government.’
A range of central government departments and agencies including HM Treasury, Department for Work & Pensions (DWP), Department for Business, Energy, Innovation and Science (BEIS), Department for Education (DfE) and Department for Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will provide apprenticeship placements through the new programme – which will offer students a starting salary of about £22k in London and in excess of £20k nationally.
The apprenticeship standard on which the programme is based was developed by a group of economist employers that included HM Treasury, the Bank of England as well as a range of consultancies and third sector organisations. The programme will be open to candidates with GCSE maths at grade B (6) or above and 96 UCAS points – equivalent to CCC at A-level, MMM for a BTEC Diploma, DD for a BTEC Certificate.