Strathclyde continues to grow Graduate Apprenticeship network
Strathclyde was delighted to secure funding from Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to continue delivery of five existing Graduate Apprenticeship (GA) programmes offer across the University.
With a broad portfolio of apprenticeship programmes, Strathclyde current has over 300 existing Graduate Apprentice learners across more than 100 employer partners. Having launched its first GA degree in 2017, Strathclyde has four undergraduate and one Masters level degree with new intakes commencing September 2020 for:
- BEng (Hons) Engineering: Design & Manufacture
- BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering
- BA (Hons) Business Management
- BSc (Hons) IT: Software Development
- MSc Cyber Security
Graduate Apprenticeships are work based learning degrees developed by Skills Development Scotland in partnership with industry and the Further and Higher Education partners for key sectors that need highly skilled employees.
Strathclyde has designed and developed its programmes in close collaboration with industry partners ensuring delivery of carefully designed programmes that suit the needs of both the learner and the employer. Strathclyde’s GA programmes are also accredited by relevant Professional Bodies ensuring that learners achieve a university degree and professionally recognised qualification in parallel.
Helyn Gould, Deputy Associate Principal for Learning and Teaching at the University of Strathclyde commented:
Strathclyde has embraced the development of Graduate Apprenticeships degrees and the opportunity these offer to employers to professionally develop existing staff and bring new recruits into their organisations to learn on the job.
As a Place of Useful Learning, we have developed our portfolio of apprenticeship programmes in collaboration with employers across all sectors whilst also aligning to relevant Professional Accreditation bodies. Therefore, Graduate Apprentices work towards their degree and professional qualifications whilst also delivering value to their organisation through work based learning.
Paul Hudson, Operations Director Volvo Rigid Hauler and Terex Trucks who has Graduate Apprentices across multiple Strathclyde GA programmes, adds:
Graduate Apprenticeships are enabling us to address emerging skills gaps as well as supporting wider growth and development for our employees whilst vitally supporting future plans for the business.
These work based degrees offer a fantastic opportunity to employees who have perhaps been in the business for some time but with no formal degree, or new recruits recently hired from school. As an employer, we benefit greatly from the apprentice’s blend of academic learning applied alongside their unique knowledge of the company which, combined, delivers real value back into our business.
Skills Development Scotland Director of Critical Skills and Occupations, Diane Greenlees notes:
More and more Scottish employers are turning to Graduate Apprenticeships to meet their critical skills needs. Graduate Apprenticeships are industry-led and delivered with Universities across Scotland, ensuring businesses have access to high-level skills and providing both new and existing employees with the opportunities to get a job and get a degree.
Strathclyde continues to work closely with employer partners to manage recruitment and allocation of places across GA programmes and welcomes the opportunity to expand industry connections to include new employer partners in 2020.
For information or to discuss how Graduate Apprenticeships can bring value to your organisation and employees, contact Lynsey Joyce, External Engagement Officer on 0141 548 3541 or by emailing lynsey.joyce@strath.ac.uk
