The Open University (OU) in Wales has secured a bid to continue offering funded places on its Degree Apprenticeship in Applied Software Engineering.
After a successful bid, the OU Degree Apprenticeship programme will continue being offered to employers across Wales in the public and private sectors.
The programme is suitable for new and existing staff who work in digital and technology roles and who spend most of their working hours in Wales.
Delivered flexibly around the needs of the organisation, the Degree Apprenticeship programme can be used to upskill employees or recruit new talent into a business through academic and work-based learning. There are no formal entry requirements and apprentices are fully supported by an OU Practice Tutor in the workplace and online. After completing the course, apprentices achieve a BSc (Hons) in Applied Software Engineering.
The programme will equip apprentices with the knowledge, skills and behavioural characteristics needed to be a successful software engineers.
Below are some of the key features:
- Flexible, online delivery
- Fully funded degree programme
- Supported by an OU Practice Tutor to assist workplace and online learning throughout the programme
- Available to existing employees for career progression and skills development, as well as for hiring new talent and growing your team
- There are no formal entry requirements
- Our current programme includes apprentices from across a variety of employers including; the NHS, SMEs, local authorities, fintech and manufacturing.
On completion, the qualification achieved will be a BSc (Hons) in Applied Software Engineering.
The programme will provide apprentices with new knowledge and skills in areas such as:
- Web, mobile and cloud technologies
- Programming
- User experience
- Software Engineering
- Project management.
If your organisation would like to find out how they can support the OU Degree Apprenticeship programme, please contact Alun Franks.
Louise Casella, Director of the OU in Wales, said:
“We are really pleased to be able to continue to support the demand from employers in Wales to help develop their staff. Degree apprentices across Wales are studying flexibly with the OU to upskill and help meet the needs of their organisations. Skill shortages in software engineering still exist, that's why investing in this area is so important to our economic recovery.”
Expected future demand for software developer and related professional roles is high compared to other jobs in Wales¹. A recent report commissioned by the OU and Be the Business noted that 77% of UK business leaders lack the skills required to successfully implement new technology into their business.
Through the Degree Apprenticeship in Applied Software Engineering programme, the OU in Wales hopes to help organisations across all sectors address the growing demand for highly skilled employees in digital and technology roles.
To find out more, and to register your organisation's participation in the programme, contact Alun Franks.
Find out more about OU Degree Apprenticeships in Wales.
The programme is funded by the Welsh Government through the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW).
