There are many challenges facing businesses right now, particularly in staff recruitment and retention, but a Graduate Apprenticeship could provide a game changing solution for companies who want to reward, retain and develop talented workers.

Graduate Apprenticeships are a ‘win-win’ for both employer and employee. They provide an outstanding opportunity for staff to work, learn and earn all at the same time, whilst allowing the employer to upskill staff. Graduate Apprenticeships also support employers to reward and motivate staff who show potential. It is perfectly crafted to support talented workers who might like to progress up the career ladder but may lack the necessary qualifications to achieve these ambitions.

At a time when most businesses are faced with escalating costs, it provides an efficient and cost-effective way to develop the workforce which, in turn, can increase business productivity and motivate employees. For staff, it supports them in gaining a business management degree while they continue working within their organisation. They have the security of their existing salary, while the opportunity to learn new skills and acquire new knowledge can build confidence, improve performance and create company loyalty. It can also be a relief to some employees that they do not need to look outside of their existing company for career progression opportunities.

Over the last few years, Queen Margaret University has worked intensively with industry partners to develop its BA (Hons) Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship), as well as a number of short courses, to ensure they meet the needs of Scotland’s business sector.

Our BA (Hons) Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship) is a fully funded programme which supports the learning and development of existing employees (and new ones)! It is a new and innovative work-based degree designed to equip students with the necessary management and entrepreneurial skills to excel in their workplace. It is also accredited by the Chartered Management Institute, making Queen Margaret University the only dual accredited Business Management Graduate Apprenticeship in Scotland.

With the aim of maximizing return for employers and their staff, Graduate Apprenticeship students can tailor their learning so that it focuses on their company’s needs. Studying the BA (Hons) Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship) therefore presents a fantastic opportunity for employees to get a business management degree and to apply their knowledge, firsthand, in their own workplace.

There are plenty of meaty topics for students to sink their teeth into – the course covers areas such as marketing, finance and accounting, business law, economics, management, new enterprise creation and project management, which will both engage and stretch students. They can even base their Honours project on an area specific to the business they work for – often producing impressive results for their organisations.

In response to industry’s changing needs, the University’s School of Arts, Social Sciences and Management has also developed a programme of short courses which can provide quick and effective solutions for employers who want to improve specific skills and knowledge in key areas for staff.

Thanks to funding from the Scottish Government and the Scottish Funding Council, a number of these courses are available free of charge, provided that staff meet certain criteria. Again, the opportunity to study and upskill can help keep employees engaged, challenged and motivated, but without the longer-term commitment of a full degree programme.

So, if your business needs to be smarter, more efficient and more creative in how it navigates the current economic challenges and invests in its workforce, then let’s talk about how the BA (Hons) Business Management (Graduate Apprenticeship) or short business modules might work for you. Opportunities are still available for the current academic session, 2022-23, and for 2023 and beyond.

For further information, contact Mike Pretious, Senior Lecturer in the School of Business at Queen Margaret University

E: mpretious@qmu.ac.uk.