Graduate Apprenticeships - A Smart Investment for Business

Graduate Apprenticeships: A Smart Investment for Business

Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3–7 March) is a celebration of the vital role apprenticeships play in supporting Scotland’s economy, businesses, and workforce. This year’s theme, Made for Business, highlights how apprenticeships are designed in partnership with employers to develop skilled individuals who help businesses grow and thrive. While many employers are familiar with Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships, Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) offer an additional, highly valuable route for businesses looking to develop talent and support staff in gaining degree-level qualifications while working.

What Are Graduate Apprenticeships?

Graduate Apprenticeships provide a unique opportunity for individuals to earn, work, and learn, gaining real-world experience while studying for a degree. These programmes, developed by Skills Development Scotland in collaboration with industry and higher education institutions, are designed to align with business needs, ensuring apprentices gain skills directly applicable to their roles.

Unlike traditional degree routes, GAs are structured to blend academic learning with practical, work-based experience. Apprentices spend the majority of their time in the workplace, applying their learning in real business scenarios while studying through a combination of online and on-campus learning. This approach allows businesses to build a highly skilled workforce tailored to their needs while also offering individuals a cost-effective and supportive path to achieving a degree.

Benefits for Employers

For businesses, investing in a Graduate Apprenticeship is a strategic way to attract and retain talent while addressing skills gaps. Employers gain:

• A workforce that learns and applies skills in real-time, ensuring knowledge is directly relevant to the organisation.

• Increased retention and staff loyalty, as employees feel invested in and supported.

• Opportunities to upskill existing staff in key areas such as business management, engineering, cyber security, and data science.

• Access to university-level training and expertise, providing industry-relevant education designed to support business needs.

Employers of all sizes across Scotland are already seeing the benefits, with many using GAs as a way to develop high-calibre talent while improving productivity and innovation within their business.

Graduate Apprenticeship Options in Scotland

Currently, Graduate Apprenticeships are available across a range of sectors at both the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) and Robert Gordon University (RGU) .

University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) offers (get more info here):

• BA (Hons) Business Management

• BA Early Learning & Childcare

• BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

• BEng Construction and Built Environment

UHI is also developing additional programmes in Accounting, Engineering, and Software Development, set to launch in September 2025.

Robert Gordon University (RGU) offers (get more info here):

• MSc Cyber Security

• BSc (Hons) Construction and the Built Environment

• BEng (Hons) Engineering: Design & Manufacture

• BEng (Hons) Engineering: Instrumentation, Measurement & Control

• BA (Hons) Business Management

• BSc (Hons) Data Science

• BA (Hons) Accounting

Employer Commitments

To successfully support a Graduate Apprenticeship, employers play an active role in creating a learning-friendly environment. This includes:

• Providing opportunities for apprentices to apply their knowledge in real-world situations.

• Allowing time for study, participation in online sessions, and on-campus learning.

• Supporting apprentices in building confidence, skills, and professional competencies.

• Encouraging continuous learning and career progression.

For many businesses, the return on investment is clear—employees develop industry-specific skills that directly benefit their role, while organisations cultivate a more capable and committed workforce.

How DYW Inverness & Central Highland Can Help

At DYW Inverness & Central Highland, we work closely with employers to help them explore the benefits of apprenticeships, including Graduate Apprenticeships. 

Liz Fletcher, Programme Manager at DYWICH, highlights why this pathway is an important option, “Graduate Apprenticeships allow young people to gain a degree while working and give employers a fantastic opportunity to develop talent. Events like this week’s business breakfast at Invergordon Academy help us share this pathway with employers. We encourage businesses to get in touch with DYWICH for support in getting started.”

For businesses looking to enhance their workforce, Graduate Apprenticeships provide a proven and practical solution. Whether you are an employer interested in recruiting new apprentices or upskilling your existing team, we can help signpost you to the right information and support.

To learn more about how Graduate Apprenticeships can benefit your business and to explore available opportunities, contact DYW Inverness & Central Highland today.