Our Technical Apprenticeship Programme wins prestigious award

14 Mar 2017

Honoured for an amazing transformation – that also benefits the University

The University has received an Apprenticeships 4 England Bronze award for our Technical Apprenticeship Programme.

The awards recognise outstanding examples of quality, best practice, innovation and excellence in apprenticeship delivery and offer organisations the chance to be recognised and rewarded for their commitment, hard work, achievements and success in delivering apprenticeship programmes in England.

The Technical Apprenticeship Programme in Engineering Operations and Laboratory and Associated Technical Activities was created four years ago and helps the University manage future demand for skilled technical staff.

The programme equips the apprentice with a set of transferable skills that will afford the opportunity to develop a rewarding career as either a Specialist Laboratory Support Technician or Specialist Engineering Support Technician.  In addition, the apprentices are taught essential life skills such as University accounting procedures, interview skills, report writing, people and project management skills.

Colin Baines, Faculty Technical Resource Manager, said: “There is an amazing transformation in our apprentices as they progress.  Starting as fresh-faced inexperienced, shy individuals, we see confidence grow gradually as they learn both technical and social skills.

“The University also benefits enormously from the programme allowing it to effectively ‘grow its own’ and we are honoured to have had the scheme recognised by Apprenticeships 4 England.”

Since the programme began in 2013, the University has recruited 35 apprentices; 22 of those are still in training and seven have secured full time permanent positions within the University.