Degree-level apprenticeship (DLA) comparative pilot
The purpose of this project is to contribute to the mainstream adoption of degree-level apprenticeships within the tertiary education system by developing frameworks to enable wider uptake of a flexible and responsive delivery mechanism for degree-level apprenticeships aligned with industry needs.
The issue
The purpose of this project is to contribute to the mainstream adoption of degree-level apprenticeships within the tertiary education system by developing frameworks to enable wider uptake of a flexible and responsive delivery mechanism for degree-level apprenticeships aligned with industry needs.
Intended outcomes
The Steps
Phase 1: System gap analysis
Phase 2:
Overview and Value Proposition
We encourage you to share these short and accessible summaries of the programme through your networks
- Overview: Get an overview of what the degree-level apprenticeship programme is trying to achieve here - Overview: Degree level apprenticeships (PDF)
- Value Proposition: A summary of the opportunity that degree-level apprenticeships represents is available here - Value Proposition: Degree level apprenticeships (PDF)
Key background documents:
We have also prepared several background documents that supported the business case agreed by the ConCOVE Board. These provide a wealth of information about the evidence base for degree-level apprenticeships, insights from key informants we interviewed and quantitative analysis to help us understand the market opportunities.
DLA pilots - Literature scan (PDF)
DLA pilots - Key informants (PDF)
DLA pilots - Quantitative analysis (PDF)
Submission to the University Advisory Group
ConCOVE made a submission to the University Advisory Group encouraging careful consideration of degree-level apprenticeships as an important opportunity for the university sector. Read ConCOVE's submission here: Degree apprenticeships and the role of Universities (PDF)
Advisory Group
We are delighted to announce the appointment of an advisory group comprising representatives from workforce development councils, Te Pukenga, the University of Waikato and Universities New Zealand. Their expertise and guidance will be instrumental in supporting the mainstream uptake of degree-level apprenticeships.
The members of the Advisory Group are:
Eve Price, Chair and ConCOVE portfolio manager
Andy Donohue, Quality Manager, BCITO
Rochelle Gribble, Programme Director - Complex Workstreams, Universities New Zealand
James MacKay, Pilot Manager, Otago Polytechnic
Catriona Petrie, General Manager, Qualification Systems, Waihanga Ara Rau WDC
Peter Scanlan, Independent Specialist
Associate Professor Karsten Zegwaard, University of Waikato
Project status and expected delivery date: In progress (full project Nov 2025)
Lead organisation: ConCOVE
Collaborators: Mischewski Consulting
Brenden has over twenty years of experience in policy, operational policy, and investment, focusing on improving public services for underserved populations and bridging traditional agency boundaries. He has held senior leadership, policy, quality assurance, and funding roles in DPMC, MBIE, MoE, MoH, MFAT, MSD, MPP, NZQA, TEC, and WDCs.
His expertise includes tertiary education, research quality, and Pacific health issues. Notable achievements include managing the $300m per annum Performance-Based Research Fund (PBRF), reviewing industry training to free up $55m for government reinvestment, completing two major Pacific health workforce forecasts, and establishing Workforce Development Councils (WDCs) to enhance sector governance and operations.
Project Status: In Progress
Contract Research Organisation: ConCOVE
Project outputs
Degree-Level Apprenticeship: Executive Summary
A systems gap analysis to understand the changes may be required to enable DLA in NZ
Degree-Level Apprenticeship: Full Report
A systems gap analysis for transformative change in NZ's vocational education and training sector pipeline
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