Studying Economics, as a degree apprenticeship or traditional degree, provides an opportunity to analyse profound world problems, such as poverty and economic growth, developing economies, and financial and monetary crises. Economics students are able to analyse and discuss these crucial areas, and are challenged to contribute and defend their theories and solutions.
A new mind-set
One of the benefits of studying economics is the ability to solve problems and make decisions. Studying economics enables you to look at both sides of an issue and observe outcomes from more than one perspective. Therefore, an economics degree apprenticeship is valuable because this mind-set can be developed by both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the workplace.
Studying economics has different benefits to studying other humanities subjects. This is because economics students are able to analyse very specific figures and can predict future economically-oriented events. Thus, economics students are marketable and employable, and can be differentiated from other students.
Diversity in the Civil Service
The largest employer of economists in the UK is the Civil Service through the Government Economic Service (GES), and they have made it clear that they aim to become the most inclusive employer in Britain by 2020. The Civil Service (in partnership with University of Kent) recently introduced the GES-DAP (GES degree apprenticeship programme), which offers a unique opportunity to work in a central government department while studying a degree in economics. This is because economists play a hugely important role in how government make policy, and the Civil Service want a diverse group of economists who represent the communities they serve.
This is one of the benefits of a degree apprenticeship; because the student pays nothing (through the apprenticeship levy and government cofounding), people from a variety of backgrounds are given the opportunity to gain both a degree and several years of work experience in the relevant field.
An economics degree apprenticeship can be hugely beneficial for both the apprentice and their employer. Creating more analytical and employable mind-sets and increasing workplace diversity are just some of the ways that these programmes are valuable.
University of Kent have been chosen to deliver the first economics degree apprenticeship programme because of the strength of our economics courses and the support offered to apprentices. For more information, including about how to secure apprenticeship places, please contact apprenticeships@kent.ac.uk.