University to host events at Burnley and Preston Campuses to mark National Apprenticeship Week
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) is inviting regional businesses to learn more about how they can build their workforce through degree apprenticeships at two free events organised to mark National Apprenticeship Week (7 – 13 February).
The events will take place at both the Preston and Burnley Campuses and are designed to showcase the benefits of degree apprenticeships to employers and the many options available to them. From Level 2 all the way through to Level 7, which is the equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree.
The theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2022 is Build the Future. Attendees will hear from employers who have developed their workforce through degree apprenticeships including Royal Mail, IoT Horizon Ltd and Bellyflop TV, as well as from learners who have recently completed a degree apprenticeship.
"... businesses can speak to representatives from the University and meet other employers and employees who have already benefited from degree apprenticeships."
— Martin Blunt, Head of the Enterprise and Engagement Unit at UCLan
Martin Blunt, Head of the Enterprise and Engagement Unit at UCLan, said: “We are looking forward to welcoming businesses onto our campuses where they can speak to representatives from the University and meet other employers and employees who have already benefited from degree apprenticeships.”
UCLan currently has around 1,800 degree apprentices on 30 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 200 employers.
Alma Stewart, a communications officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, recently completed a degree apprenticeship in digital marketing through UCLan and graduated with a first-class honours. She said: “The skills I have leaned have be invaluable not only in relation to my role as a communications officer in the NHS, but also on a personal level particularly in time-management and critical thinking.
“As a 51 year-old mum, I never thought it would be possible to get a degree, but thanks to UCLan’s degree apprenticeship programme, I can advise anyone that it is never too late to achieve! I am even considering going onto study a PhD, something I have never considered before completing this course.”
"As a 51 year-old mum, I never thought it would be possible to get a degree, but thanks to UCLan’s degree apprenticeship programme, I can advise anyone that it is never too late to achieve! "
— Alma Stewart, a communications officer at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust who recently completed a digital marketing degree apprenticeship
Martin Blunt added: “UCLan is the largest provider of degree apprenticeships in the region and since uniting with training provider Training 2000, offers the full range of apprenticeships to suit employer needs. Our apprenticeship focus is aligned with the skills strategy of the Lancashire Economic Partnership to ensure that we meet the skills needs of the region to benefit the employer, employee and the wider communities.”
The Preston Campus event takes place on Tuesday 8 February from 2.30pm – 5.00pm and the Burnley Campus event is on Thursday 10 February 9.00am – 11.30am. Both events are free, but attendees are asked to register online.
More information about National Apprenticeship Week is available online.