Celebrating the achievements of our Degree Apprenticeships

To mark Apprenticeship Week 2024 (5–11 February) Bridget Moseley, Head of the University’s Apprenticeship Unit, reflects on the UWTSD approach to Apprenticeship programmes.

“The University has always been proactive in seeking opportunities for innovation so our capacity to work across traditional boundaries gave us the perfect platform to embrace the development of Degree Apprenticeships, seven years ago now. By continuing to work closely with regional, national, and international employers we have been able to create great programmes in a range of sectors to up-skill, re-skill and develop those at the beginning of their careers in those sectors.

The University now has apprenticeship provision in Law (CILEX); Human Resource Management (CIPD); Engineering, including Ordnances, Electrical & Electronics and Embedded Electronics; Advanced Manufacturing; Stained Glass; Construction Management; Quantity Surveying; Therapies Assistant Practise; Archaeology; and Policing.

As an employment-focused university we are dedicated to ensuring our apprentices, from broad and diverse backgrounds, develop the academic knowledge and practical skills to thrive in their roles. They get the opportunity to gain a qualification, which in turn boosts their confidence and self-esteem. The team of industry experienced Apprentice Liaison Officers brings commercial understanding and knowledge to the process; they provide the crucial link between the apprentices, their employers, and the university and through regular meetings they ensure that the apprentices continue to develop and thrive throughout the programme. Apprentices engage with the academic elements of the provision through online, face-to-face, and blended learning; the Apprentice Liaison Officers keep in touch with them, and their employers, through the regular review process.

This week we are meeting employers, their employees, and potential new apprentices to discuss the programmes available and how they can support individuals to develop skills and knowledge directly relevant to their jobs and the companies that they work for.  We’re also celebrating the achievements of our apprentices and how they have shown such commitment and resilience to continue to work and study and manage all of the challenges of balancing personal and professional life brings. 

I am so proud of our achievements to date in relation to the establishment, development and delivery of Apprenticeship provision and am delighted that a recent OFSTED inspection of our seven UK Government ESFA funded apprenticeships provided additional assurance of the quality of our provision.  OFSTED allocated an overall judgement of Good and found the university to be Good across all areas of the inspection.  

The report commended our partnership with employers on the design and content of the curriculum, the professional experience of our lecturing teams as well as the support services, the care for our apprentices, and the strong governance of the programmes.  This positive outcome and endorsement of the programmes demonstrates the hard work, dedication, and passion of our staff as well as the achievement of our apprenticeship students.

One of the joys of my role is working with such a diverse range of people, who have broad experiences of previous education, work, and life; to see them gain the confidence and skills that the programme gives them.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071