> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://newsletters.qs.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # โŒฏโœˆ๏ธŽ From Bihar to London: Degree Apprenticeships, AI credentials, and a $350M bet on skills. - URL: https://newsletters.qs.com/from-bihar-to-london-degree-apprenticeships-ai-credentials-and-a-350m-bet-on-skills/ - Published: 2026-06-29T20:57:11.000Z - Updated: 2026-06-29T20:57:11.000Z - Description: Work-integrated degrees gain traction; AI contributes to Oracle's 21,000 layoffs and AI literacy grows globally. Join us in NYC for the 25th Annual Back to School Summit. - Author: QS - Tags: AI & Digital Innovation **Hello** ๐Ÿ‘‹ Demand for embedding employment into the degrees is being answered across different geographies this week. In [India, Bihar launched apprenticeship-embedded programmes](https://education.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/government-policies/bihar-launches-innovative-learn-while-you-earn-programme-in-13-colleges-for-enhanced-student-employability/131841764?ref=newsletters.qs.com) across 13 colleges under a "learn while you earn" model, while [Andhra Pradesh's APSCHE announced parallel plans](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vijayawada/apsche-plans-apprenticeship-linked-degree-programmes-to-boost-employability/articleshow/131864188.cms?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to wire employer pathways directly into the credential. In the US, the [Departments of Labor and Education jointly convened](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260504?ref=newsletters.qs.com) university and workforce leaders to accelerate degree-connected Registered Apprenticeships, backed by [over $230M in new federal funding](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20260413?ref=newsletters.qs.com) since January, a year in which the model has moved into mainstream policy conversation, from [New America mapping the US landscape](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/life-after-college/2026/01/26/rise-degree-apprenticeships?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to [Brookings benchmarking employer ROI against Switzerland](https://www.brookings.edu/articles/what-the-us-can-learn-from-switzerland-about-the-business-case-for-apprenticeships/?ref=newsletters.qs.com). For the US, degree apprenticeships seem to be growing in teaching and nursing, while in the UK, it's engineering and digital, sectors with acute labor shortages, clear occupational standards, and employers motivated to absorb training costs. However, [England's Level 7 restrictions](https://www.oneadvanced.com/resources/degree-apprenticeships-in-2026-change-opportunity-and-the-future-of-skills/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) are exposing what happens when the model [expands beyond those natural fits](https://hechingerreport.org/us-apprenticeships-uk-coveted-roles/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) into management and postgraduate tiers: the funding doesn't follow. [Demo the QS Analytics Platform](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=250154073.9814b361c2fd61a99b1e7cc1b3edf011.1762927473482.1766142400196.1767783751938.11&%5F%5Fhssc=250154073.13.1767783751938&%5F%5Fhsfp=832813272&ref=newsletters.qs.com) **Global search interest in degree apprenticeships has grown steadily over the last decade.** Between 2016 and today, internships, work integrated learning, and apprenticeships have grown exponentially, driven by labor market policy, corporate upskilling initiatives, and widespread economic drivers (read: college affordability). In the United States, active participation in registered apprenticeship programs accelerated, supercharged by a historic [$244M federal expansion](https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/eta/eta20240711-0?ref=newsletters.qs.com) and major corporate initiatives like [Googleโ€™s $50M](https://blog.google/company-news/outreach-and-initiatives/google-org/skilled-trades/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) investment in trade and tech pipelines. Concurrently, in the United Kingdom, the rapid rise of AI-driven digital apprenticeships and [expanded UCAS integration](https://www.360apprenticeships.co.uk/ucas-recognition-for-apprenticeships/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) likely sent search traffic skyrocketing to all-time highs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/06/HolonIQ_Global_search_volume_for_Degree_Apprenticeships_2006_2025_HCHFK3HVF3S2WVJCGFA0--2-.png) ๐Ÿ‘‰ For more insights on innovation and technology in the education market, go to the [QS Analytics Platform](https://my.holoniq.com/?ref=newsletters.qs.com&%5F%5Fhstc=250154073.9814b361c2fd61a99b1e7cc1b3edf011.1762927473482.1766142400196.1767783751938.11&%5F%5Fhssc=250154073.13.1767783751938&%5F%5Fhsfp=832813272) or [request a demo](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?%5F%5Fhstc=250154073.9814b361c2fd61a99b1e7cc1b3edf011.1762927473482.1766142400196.1767783751938.11&%5F%5Fhssc=250154073.13.1767783751938&%5F%5Fhsfp=832813272&ref=newsletters.qs.com) to learn more. --- ### ๐Ÿ“ Upcoming Education Innovation Events | Event | Date | Action | | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | ๐Ÿซ **Webinar: EdTech Innovations Powering College-to-Career Pathways** | 30 June | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/edtech-innovations-powering-college-to-career-pathways?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | ๐Ÿค **Webinar: Partner or Perishโ€”Collaboration as Strategy for Higher Ed** | 1 Sept, 16:00 BST | [Register](https://www.qs.com/webinars/partner-or-perish-collaboration-as-a-growth-strategy-for-higher-education?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | ๐Ÿ—ฝ **25th Annual 'Back to School' Summit, NYC**โ˜€๏ธ Summer's just getting started โ€” but seats are filling fast. | 15โ€“17 Sept | [**Register today โ†’**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/back-to-school?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | ๐Ÿ“… **QS Reimagine Education 2026, London**โฐ Super early bird ends next week. | 7โ€“8 Dec | [**Register today โ†’**](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | | ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ **2026 Innovation Webinar Series** | On-demand + live | [Browse all](https://www.qs.com/webinars?ref=newsletters.qs.com) | ### ๐Ÿ’ก**Think your institution or product belongs on the Reimagine Education stage?** [Applications are open](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine/apply?ref=newsletters.qs.com) โ€” and the super early bird registration closes next week. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f1/d4/f1d411df-6f49-4c75-a302-f8c9e9f59495/content/images/2026/06/image-3-1-1.png)](https://www.qs.com/conferences/reimagine/apply?ref=newsletters.qs.com) ## โญ **AI & Digital Innovation Spotlight** Institutions are building AI credentials, companies are restructuring around AI, and industry is investing in the pipeline to fill the roles that follow. ๐ŸŽ“ **The University of Utah's is launching a** [**bachelor's degree in AI**](https://www.ksl.com/article/51536658/university-of-utah-trustees-greenlight-creation-of-states-first-ai-bachelors-degree?ref=newsletters.qs.com), covering machine learning, computer vision, natural language processing, and the ethical AI ๐Ÿ’ป[ **Oracle's** AI-driven restructuring](https://www.hcamag.com/us/specialization/hr-technology/oracles-workforce-down-21000-amid-ai-driven-restructuring/580047?ref=newsletters.qs.com) has eliminated 21,000 roles globally over the past year. ๐Ÿค–[ **Autodesk** has committed $350M](https://finance.yahoo.com/video/autodesk-launches-350-million-ai-113300116.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to equip students with AI, design, and manufacturing skills, framing workforce readiness for physical-world industries. --- ## **๐Ÿค Policy & Partnerships** Governments and universities are forming multi-institutional partnerships and directing public funding toward AI research infrastructure, framing sovereign AI capacity as a strategic priority. ๐Ÿ“š T**he European Commission and the OECD**[ **launched an AI Literacy Framework**](https://www.brusselstimes.com/eu-affairs/2198720/eu-oecd-unveil-ai-literacy-plan-to-redefine-classrooms-for-a-digital-age?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for primary and secondary schools, setting out shared competences for students across four domains as part of the EU's broader Union of Skills digital education agenda. ๐Ÿ”ฌ **The UK government** has [committed up to ยฃ60M to new AI research labs](https://tech.eu/2026/06/23/uk-government-backs-university-ai-labs-with-ps60m-to-make-ai-cheaper/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) at Oxford and UCL, backing open-source models and more efficient architectures as a direct hedge against dependence on dominant AI providers. โš›๏ธ **Queen's University and Universitรฉ de Sherbrooke** have [signed an MOU](https://www.hpcwire.com/off-the-wire/queens-university-and-universite-de-sherbrooke-partner-to-advance-canadas-ai-and-quantum-infrastructure/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) to build a joint AI and quantum computing infrastructure, a cross-provincial bet on digital sovereignty and Canada's ability to compete for global research talent. ## ๐Ÿ’ช **Power Moves & Funding** Power moves span sovereign capital, AI integrity, compliance training, and campus consolidation, deals beyond teaching and learning. ๐Ÿ’ฐ NCLE, Saudi Arabia's National Company for Learning and Education, secured a[ $62M](https://www.argaam.com/en/article/articledetail/id/1903112?ref=newsletters.qs.com) for the expansion of its school network and to support its growth plans across the Kingdom. ๐Ÿค– Superhuman[ acquired](https://techcrunch.com/2026/06/23/superhuman-acquires-ai-detection-startup-gptzero/?ref=newsletters.qs.com) AI-detection startup GPTZero to build AI-integrity and content-authenticity capability into its productivity platform. ๐Ÿ“š Acorn[ acquired](https://finance.yahoo.com/small-business/articles/acorn-acquires-b-online-learning-223000463.html?ref=newsletters.qs.com) B Online Learning to strengthen its compliance and corporate training capability and broaden its online learning content library. ๐Ÿซ New College [absorbed](https://www.theeduledger.com/campus-climate/article/15828291/desantisled-new-college-triples-campus-size-in-hostile-takeover-of-usf-sarasotamanatee?ref=newsletters.qs.com) USF's Sarasota-Manatee campus, expanding its physical footprint and enrollment capacity through a fast-tracked legislative budget measure. [Demo the QS Analytics Platform](https://share-eu1.hsforms.com/2C1%5FV5ni4SEyLILjrqcyQnQfigrs?ref=newsletters.qs.com)