Sheffield Hallam shortlisted for regional apprenticeship honour

21st February 2024

Sheffield Hallam University has been shortlisted for the Educate North 2024 Apprenticeship Award. The nomination reflects the work of the University’s National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships (NCEDA).

NCEDA currently supports close to 3,000 degree apprentices studying across 40 disciplines and subjects, more than any other provider in the UK. In the past year it has achieved key milestones including working with its 700th employer partner and facilitating higher and degree apprenticeship (HDAs) courses worth a total of £61.1 million.

Hallam’s nomination reflects the work which has been done by NCEDA to promote the value of HDAs for learners of all ages and from different backgrounds.  The University has been a vocal campaigner for more and better apprenticeship opportunities in the region, by setting the standards of industry best practice, publishing thought leadership, and working with key policymakers.  In 2023, Hallam was the only university in the country to host both the Secretary of State for Education, Gillian Keegan MP; and the Minister for Apprenticeships, Robert Halfon MP.

Dan Lally, Group Director of Business, Enterprise, Skills and Employability at Sheffield Hallam said:

"At Sheffield Hallam, we are the home of the National Centre of Excellence for Degree Apprenticeships. That means we have a responsibility to enhance understanding of the opportunities apprenticeships provide to individuals and businesses, especially here in the north. Bridging the knowledge gap around degree apprenticeships is so important, and this year we have led the higher education sector in positioning them as a viable alternative to traditional higher education. This nomination reflects the breadth of the work we have done in a really busy and successful year.”

The Educate North Awards, now in their tenth year, celebrate, recognise, and share best practice and excellence in the education sector in the North.  Some 43% of Hallam degree apprentices are from Yorkshire.  Winners will be announced on Thursday 18 April at a ceremony in Manchester. 

The nomination builds on prestigious awards which the Hallam degree apprentices have won in recent months.  In November, Francesca Hume was named Degree Apprentice of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards, following success for Hallam packaging students and staff at the Food & Drink Federation (FDF) awards, the North East National Apprenticeship Awards, and the UK Packaging Awards in 2023.