Opening the Doors to Apprentices

Although claims by the chairman of the House of Commons' Education Select Committee that many graduates receive 'paltry returns' from conventional university degrees have sparked a debate about the need for radical change to address students and employer needs, much is being done to support degree apprenticeships.

With official figures revealing a 26 per cent drop in apprenticeship starts in the first quarter 2018 compared to the same period last year, the Government has promised to deliver three million apprenticeship starts by 2020.

Meanwhile, concerns have been raised by investors who have splashed out on purpose built student accommodation (PBSA) in recent years as they are likely to be hit by falling university student numbers over the coming decade. Indeed, according to UCAS figures, domestic student applications have dropped by 0.9% for the second year in a row compared with January 2017.

But as apprenticeships return, increasing numbers of PBSA providers are opening their doors to not just university students but those undertaking other forms of higher education. One such forward thinking accommodation provider Collegiate is already offering apprentices luxury accommodation in three locations - London, Bristol and Reading.

"The decrease in the number of university applications in the UK has been a wake-up call to government which has now pledged to reinforce apprenticeships. As many more recruits are expected, it's important to think about their accommodation. Many apprentices are not staying at home and have to relocate sometimes to start their apprenticeship. We are giving them access to our luxury PBSA beds because apprentices deserve the same standard of housing as university students", says Heriberto Cuanalo, Collegiate CEO.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com.