Apprenticeship degrees in Scotland and England (Graduate and Degree Apprenticeships (G/DA)) can offer an alternative to the traditional route to Higher Education. Fees are paid by government bodies without the need for loans and family support to cover the costs, Students who take part in GA programmes are hired by their employer independently meaning employers have significant new powers over access to degrees (Fabian et al 2023). Graduate Apprenticeships (GA) were set up in Scotland in 2017 with the aim to
meet the skills requirements of employers for graduate students and to allow access to Higher Education to those groups who may traditionally face barriers in achieving educational attainment. However, G/DA programmes tend to have less gender diversity, less ethnic diversity, and less socioeconomic diversity compared to traditional undergraduate programmes. This study aims to understand why this lack of diversity exists and understand how the initial aims of G/DA programmes can be met, providing clear pathways to the energy sector for those that may be traditional excluded.
 

✅  Key Findings:

• Graduate/Degree Apprenticeships (G/DAs) offer alternative routes into higher education but lack diversity in gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic background.
• Recruitment practices—especially in smaller firms—often rely on informal methods like word-of-mouth and “gut feeling,” which can unintentionally exclude diverse candidates.
• Awareness gaps: Many students, especially in traditional degree paths, misunderstand or are unaware of G/DAs. Schools are not seen as reliable sources of information.
• Support gaps: Apprentices face challenges balancing employer expectations and personal development, with limited support for caring responsibilities compared to university staff.
• Cultural issues: Exclusive behaviours like “male banter” persist on construction sites, often unchallenged.
   

✅ Recommendations:

• Promote objective, inclusive recruitment: wider advertising, anonymous CVs, and structured scoring.
• Improve school-level awareness of G/DAs to support informed decision-making.
• Enhance employer understanding of apprenticeship requirements and provide better support for apprentices.
• Address workplace culture to ensure inclusive environments for all.

The work is aligned with research as part of the EDI+ Network, an ESPRC funded network of research fellows looking into improving diversity in the energy research sector.