Two upcoming sessions will showcase the benefits of degree apprenticeships for both employers and employees
North West businesses are being invited to learn more about how they can build and upskill their workforces through degree apprenticeships at two free events organised by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
Taking place at both the Preston and Burnley Campuses during National Apprenticeship Week (6 – 12 February), the sessions will showcase the benefits of degree apprenticeships to employers and highlight the many options available to their employees.
At the Celebrating Degree Apprenticeships events, in Preston on 7 February and Burnley on 10 February, attendees will hear from employers who have developed their workforce through degree apprenticeships as well as from learners who have successfully progressed their careers after completing degree apprenticeships. Among those businesses being represented are BAE Systems, Warburtons, Booths, Digital Transit, Why Us and Elite 04.
In addition, the University will announce details about its new Apprenticeship Matching Service, a free recruitment service for employers who are looking to recruit an apprentice into their organisation.
Martin Blunt, UCLan’s Head of the Enterprise and Engagement Unit, said: “Degree apprenticeships are such an important resource for both employers and employees and, as the largest provider of degree apprenticeships in the region, we have so many options available.
“Our two free events will allow interested businesses to come along, speak to representatives from the University and meet other employers and employees who have already benefited from degree apprenticeships.”
UCLan’s degree apprenticeships start from Level 2 all the way through to Level 7, which is the equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree. The University currently has around 2,000 higher and degree apprentices on programmes across a wide range of sectors including building services, construction, digital, engineering, healthcare, legal, management, policing and professional services, and works with more than 400 employers.
Claire Vaughan, a People Partner at Warburtons, the UK’s largest bakery company, is completing a Senior Leader Degree Apprenticeship. The mature student decided to undertake the qualification to challenge her personal and professional development.
She said: “I’ve had a really excellent experience and this will stay with me for the rest of my life. I was able to take my university learning back into the workplace and it’s helped me to be better at understanding the strategic element of my role. As such, I’ve been able to deliver on some key projects that perhaps I wouldn’t have delivered to the same level of standard if I hadn’t been doing the degree apprenticeship.
“There are so many benefits to degree apprenticeships. It enables a person to be the best version of themselves and it enables them to contribute their learning back into the workplace and that can really project your business forward in a way that you’d not foreseen.”
The Preston Campus event takes place in UCLan’s Creative Innovation Zone between 2.30pm and 5.00pm on Tuesday 7 February while the Burnley Campus event runs at Victoria Mill from 9.30am to 12noon on Thursday 10 February. Both events are free, but attendees are asked to register online.
