Vodafone UK launches Digital Degree Apprenticeship with @UniBirmingham

To help build the UK’s digital future, Vodafone has today announced new education and mentoring programmes developed for university students, digital entrepreneurs and Vodafone employees interested in a digital career.

The Vodafone Digital Degree is a programme  that  combines  a  computer  science  degree  from  the  University  of  Birmingham  with  a  tech  apprenticeship  at  Vodafone.  

These programmes form part of a package of measures to drive innovation and growth across the UK. With its track-record as a British communications and technology pioneer, Vodafone is uniquely positioned to help the UK expand its pipeline of digital talent and advance as a digital leader.

Adam Parsons, HR Director at Vodafone UK, said:

“Digital sectors like artificial intelligence, cloud services and the Internet of Things represent exciting opportunities for the UK economy.

“The education and mentoring programmes we have created will help us to make the most of these opportunities. University students, digital entrepreneurs and Vodafone employees working in our retail stores and contact centres will be able to develop new skills and prepare for a digital future.”

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. Its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from over 150 countries.

Equipping university students with digital skills: Vodafone Digital Degree

The Vodafone Digital Degree was created to develop digital talent at university level. A partnership between Vodafone and the University of Birmingham, the programme combines a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science with a technology apprenticeship at Vodafone.

16 Digital Degree Apprentices have been accepted into the programme and will attend the University of Birmingham full-time. During their four-year study period, Digital Degree Apprentices will receive a salary. There is a 10-week summer placement in their first year and a 12-month industrial placement in their third year, with a guaranteed role in one of Vodafone’s digital teams once they graduate in 2022.

Professor Andy Schofield, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham, said:

“We believe that in order to prepare our students for a 21st century workplace, it is essential to build their digital skills and give them the best possible opportunities in which to use them.

The four-year programme we are launching with Vodafone will provide our students with both the digital education and critical hands-on training they will need to succeed in a digital future. As a world leader for research and innovation, we are delighted to be partnering with Vodafone to address the UK’s technology skills gap and educate the digital talent of the future.”