But it’s also a question of these recruits having the right skillset. In a world where every other conversation is peppered with at least a mention of technology, automation or artificial intelligence, tomorrow’s leaders need to be equipped with the knowledge and experience to cope with the supply chain of tomorrow, right from the start of their career.
Degree apprenticeships offer solutions to these challenges — and they’re growing fast. Since they were launched in 2015, there have been 3,218,990 apprenticeships, with 337,140 of those in the academic year 2022/23. Here at Sheffield Hallam, we have recruited nearly 3,000 apprentices. And in the logistics industry specifically, companies like GXO are increasingly using degree apprenticeships to expand their talent pipeline and develop their future leaders.
Why are degree apprenticeships an increasingly popular path?
Most people would agree that gaining a university education is of great value to your overall skillset, employability and life experience. Government data shows that degree-holders continue to earn more than non-graduates, and the graduate employment rate remains up year after year. Obtaining a degree has effectively become a rite of passage and many leading employers still expect candidates to be university graduates for certain entry-level roles.
Degree apprenticeships offer an increasingly attractive alternative route into higher education — for people of any age. Apprentices gain a fully funded degree over three years through short study blocks at university while spending most of their time learning on the job, working from day one. There are many benefits to this route, including the development of life skills, alleviation of student debt — since sponsoring employers and the apprenticeship levy cover this cost — and the opportunity to earn a significant income while learning. In many cases, degree apprenticeships essentially guarantee long-term careers with some of the best employers in the world, as the apprentices can already comfortably contribute at a high level in the organisation at the end of their course.
Participating employers commit significant resources each year to ensuring that students gain advanced, transferable skills by engaging in companies’ core activities. Apprentices are treated and integrated as employees, not students. At GXO, for example, alongside core modules connected to the Supply Chain Professional degree apprenticeship, they are immersed not only into day-to-day operations but also functions such as HR, finance and legal — skills they almost certainly wouldn’t gain from a degree alone. Ultimately, it is this combination of the ‘caught’ experience together with the ‘taught’ theory that make degree apprenticeships increasingly popular.
How can we maintain the value of degree apprenticeships in the logistics industry?
The logistics industry is evolving rapidly. For example, just a few years ago, automation was a ‘nice to have’, whereas today some iteration of automation is a ‘must have’ for the customers logistics companies serve. The way warehouses functioned a decade ago is very different to the way things work today.
Accordingly, degree apprenticeships must evolve in tandem. Degree apprentices must be equipped not only with the skills needed today but also those likely to be useful in the future. Because degree apprenticeships are, by their very nature, a dual structure — the degree and the apprenticeship — there are two stages at which change can be made. Employers must evaluate apprentices’ tasks and rotations, making necessary changes in line with the latest state of the industry. And universities must similarly evaluate the course content and learning objectives to ensure students are armed with knowledge for the future.
In the future, it is inevitable that automation and AI will become an even bigger part of the logistics ecosystem. In anticipation of this, degree apprentices will need to be equipped with the theoretical and practical knowhow necessary to navigate this change. After all, it is a generational opportunity.
More than that, though, these future leaders will need to be trained to anticipate other changes likely to face the industry. Armed with the academic and vocational tools gained on their apprenticeship, they’ll be especially well-positioned to do so.
Case study: “A programme dedicated to creating future leaders of industry”
Ryan Simmons, a degree apprentice at Sheffield Hallam University and Continuous Improvement Facilitator at GXO, exemplifies what participants stand to gain from these programmes. Having joined the business as a Management Degree Apprentice in August 2021, Ryan has since played an instrumental role in the implementation of site projects and ongoing local community efforts.
At just 20 he has played key roles in building business cases, completed the required work for gaining Lean Competency Systems Level 1B certification, and played an integral role in the successful completion of four projects on site — each of which resulted in thousands of pounds in cost savings. Ryan has also supported other sites during the launch of automation projects and system changes, leveraging his skills and experience to help the broader business away from his base site. He has gained invaluable professional experience and skills while working towards a degree in supply chain leadership from Sheffield Hallam.
“There are significant benefits to the degree apprenticeship route, such as the ability to apply classroom knowledge directly to the workplace, not to mention freedom from student debt and a robust support network for career advancement. I have found this programme to be an exceptional opportunity for personal and professional growth.
“My role in continuous improvement allows me to stay at the forefront of the latest developments in our industry, working with innovative technologies and implementing solutions to drive efficiency in our customers’ operations. At the same time, I’ve been heavily involved in the engagement team on site as lead ESG Ambassador, helping to drive sustainability improvements alongside social and community engagement activities, which offers invaluable learning opportunities as well as being a hugely rewarding part of my role.
“The degree apprenticeship has been a fulfilling journey, offering an exciting career path in the supply chain industry. It is truly a programme dedicated to creating future leaders of industry.”
Ryan is just one example of what a successful degree apprentice looks like — one of a growing number across the country.
By Dr Michael Benson, Principal Lecturer, Sheffield Hallam University and Chris Dolby, Senior Director of Talent & Learning, Europe, GXO
