Analysis of a degree level learners through a pandemic: the importance of vocation-linked education for chemical scientists in full time education and on apprenticeship studies

In 2015 the UK introduced a degree level apprenticeship framework that included creation of a Laboratory Scientist apprenticeship standard to meet demands within the chemical workforce. Here, we review our experience of a Laboratory Scientist (Chemistry) degree apprenticeship against a traditional BSc programme through presenting a case study that compares the progression of students enrolled on these two chemistry degrees. Both courses shared the same BSc degree curriculum and content, however, the traditional BSc course was delivered as a full-time course and the apprenticeship as a part-time, online course. The course content, learning objectives and assessment structures were identical for the majority of these two programmes. During the pandemic, the mode of delivery on the two courses became closely aligned enabling a meaningful comparison of learner attainment. We found that the module enrolment pass rate was significantly higher for the part-time apprentice students, demonstrating that vocation-linked learning is a vital tool in our educational arsenal and which suggests more focus should be given to the support and growth of degree level apprenticeship programmes.