Degree apprenticeships can bring exceptional value to a business. In the case of A Lamb Associates (ALA), it is central to their goals for staff development and career progression. The flexible nature allows staff dedicated time for formal learning whilst developing their workplace skills. The ability to apply these skills to real-life scenarios make it favourable for employers, particularly SMEs.
With offices in Kirkby Lonsdale, Warrington and London provide quantity surveying, commercial management and dispute resolution services to customers in the UK and overseas. Established in 1996, they have been providing specialist commercial services to the construction industry for over 20 years. Business Development Manager John Houghton advocates staff progression via degree apprenticeships as key part of business development:
“Having a degree apprentice has allowed us to diversify our workforce. We’ve been able to engage with local stakeholders and strengthen our relationships with them. As an SME it has allowed us to check how we manage and value career progression for other employees too, encouraging them to seek additional learning or qualifications suitable to their role.”
John can see further benefits, adding: “We wanted to raise the profile of the Quantity Surveying profession as well as offering meaningful career opportunities for local people. Working with local schools, we wanted to offer an alternative to going down the traditional route of going to university full time.” Understandably, arranging an apprenticeship may seem daunting, especially from an employer’s perspective, but this was not an issue when John contacted the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan). John stated: “There’s so much to learn and read up about degree apprenticeships from the employer side of things, and the general information provided through the government websites aren’t particularly easy to find, navigate or understand.''
"UCLan was able to advise us at every step of the way and they even managed to help us secure additional grant funding which means that the degree apprenticeship placement is fully funded – a huge benefit as an SME."
— John Houghton, Business Development Manager at ALA
Employee Dan Ashton, who is currently part way through his BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying degree apprenticeship, knows better than most the benefits a degree apprenticeship can bring, Dan said: “The thing I enjoy most about my degree apprenticeship is the fact that I can gain industry experience alongside course experience. I find the combination of the two allows me to better understand the course and the material included within it.
I would recommend a degree apprenticeship to anyone who is considering doing it. they are an amazing way in which to learn about the industry and further progress. My main piece of advice would be to ensure that you get started early and begin the journey of a degree apprenticeship.”
Through the increased knowledge and understanding of degree apprenticeships, ALA are now able to offer wider training and support to their employees whilst engaging and strengthening relationship with local stakeholders.
