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Apprenticeships

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Why us

Higher and degree apprenticeships are a high-quality alternative to a traditional university degree. They allow apprentices to achieve a higher education qualification while working full-time and gaining experience in the workplace. Birmingham City University’s apprenticeships build on our well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes, working with some of the country’s leading employers, including Jewson, Mitchells & Butlers and Greene King.

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Become an apprentice

Find out more about degree apprenticeships to help you decide whether an apprenticeship is right for you.

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Offer an apprenticeship

Find out more about how degree apprenticeships can transform your business.

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How we support you

  • Business benefits

  • Using the levy

  • Who is eligible?

  • Business support

  • How does it work?

Business benefits

Offering apprenticeships can be a way for employers to attract high-quality new talent with a desire to progress to a Bachelor's or Master's degree level of education. It can also be a practical way to fill any skills gaps that may exist within the workforce, as the apprentices will be learning sector-specific skills from the start. Staff who have trained with a company may have greater loyalty, and be more likely to stay for a long period, providing opportunities for businesses to produce their own leaders from within.

Using the levy

Apprenticeships will be funded through the Apprenticeship Levy, which is paid by all UK employers with a total payroll of over £3 million a year. Employers that are subject to the levy can claim back their payments to fund apprenticeships, and all employers can claim up to 95 per cent of the cost of training and assessing apprenticeships. There is no cost to the apprentice.

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Who is eligible?

Anyone aged over 16 and not in full-time education, who spends at least 50% of their working hours in England, may apply for an apprenticeship. Employers may offer apprenticeships to new recruits or existing employees; these apprenticeships must include a genuine job with a contract lasting for at least the length of the period of study, and pay an apprentice wage.

Business support

All businesses who work with us on a degree apprenticeship are given a named contact who they can speak to at any time with any questions or concerns. All participants are given a mentor and receive the same levels of academic and pastoral support as our full-time students, including access to the Centre for Academic Success, which can provide help with skills such as mathematics and academic writing.

HOW DO HIGHER OR DEGREE APPRENTICESHIPS WORK?

Apprentices on these programmes spend part of their time studying at the University and the rest working for one of our partner employers, earning a full-time wage and getting invaluable experience of the workplace. They will work with and make connections with people in their chosen industry, and at the end of their course, they will have between three and six years' work experience and a degree-level qualification.

Our apprenticeships

 

Broadcast technology

Designed with the BBC Academy and approved by the BBC Engineering Apprenticeship Steering Board, the course addresses technologies in TV and radio broadcast processes from audio and video content capture, through the production processes and to distribution over cable, satellite and terrestrial networks or via internet streaming.

Technologies studied include signal processing, coding and transmission; media compression; media storage; asset management; production and distribution system architectures; internet and web technologies for media production and transmission; personalised and interactive services; and broadcast standards.

 

Assistant practioner in health

The course offers an introduction to anatomy and physiology, and examines social, psychological and cultural influences relevant to specific areas of work. It covers professional issues relating to the boundaries of practice, patient and client assessment.

It also provides a thorough understanding of standard operating procedures and relevant national service frameworks. Participants will gain the knowledge and understanding required to work as an Assistant practitioner in a wide range of health and social care settings, equipping them to work in a range of health care roles, whether that is in local authorities, the voluntary sector or private care settings.

 

Chartered surveyor

Our Apprenticeship in Chartered Surveying is designed to give those working in surveying – including Building Surveyors, Commercial Property Surveyors, Residential Property Surveyors, and Planning and Development Surveyors – the knowledge and skills required to operate effectively in the property and construction sector.

By successfully completing this programme, participants will have met the core requirements for surveying in law, information management, finance, health and safety, sustainability, construction technology and consultancy, as well as two optional areas.

 

Chartered manager

Combining a degree with on-the-job training, the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) is a three-year work-based learning programme, offering flexible delivery options including day release and block release, using blended learning to suit employees in a wide variety of management roles at companies of all sizes.

Topics covered include Contemporary HR for Managers, Marketing Foundations, Finance for Managers, Operations for Managers, Supply Chain Management, Applied Management and Contemporary Global Management Issues.

 

Rehab work visual impairment

Working as part of the professional community, apprentices will develop specific knowledge, skills and behaviours to improve the mobility, independent living and communication skills of people with all levels of visual impairments. Experts from outside the University provide additional specialist knowledge and experience and enrich the apprentices’ experience.

Engagement with people who have a visual impairment ensures apprentices gain in-depth insights, invaluable feedback and a sense of personal satisfaction from supporting people to live independently.

 

Postgrad engineer

Postgraduate engineers develop solutions to engineering problems using new or existing technologies, which could include software, integrated systems, mechanical, electrical, electronic, electromechanical, fluid power components/systems, and materials.

This apprenticeship is designed for engineers who want to develop their existing knowledge while staying in full-time work. It provides a foundation in skills such as project management, engineering management and professional development, before progressing to a project relevant to the apprentice's own workplace.

 

Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer

Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineers use their knowledge of electronics and embedded software to design circuits or devices that are safe, reliable and cost-effective.

Industries which rely heavily on this role include aerospace, automotive, robotics, telecommunications, information and computer technology, defence, energy, and consumer electronics. This apprenticeship provides the fundamental scientific and mathematical principles to equip individuals with the understanding required to operate effectively and efficiently at a high level within any of these sectors.

 

Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers support the activities involved in bringing design programmes into manufacture, which requires strong knowledge of the advanced manufacturing techniques and project management skills necessary to launch products on time, on cost and to the right quality.

This apprenticeship provides vocational skills in such key areas as statutory regulations and safety, CAD systems, computer software, assembly production, monitoring and evaluation, and project and resource management. Participants will also gain academic knowledge in areas including mathematics and science, materials and manufacture, and business management.

 

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineers create aircraft components and equipment, specialising in a specific engineering discipline; for example, airframe, design and stress, systems integration, support engineering, or manufacturing engineering.

This apprenticeship provides participants with an understanding of engineering processes and practices, regulatory and quality requirements, analytical methods, and aeronautical and material sciences. It also gives a wide range of technical skillsets that can be applied in a range of aerospace disciplines and contexts.

 

Architect

Architects are registered professionals, with training requirements defined by the Architects Registration Board (ARB) and Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Only those who are appropriately qualified and registered with ARB can use the title ‘Architect’ in the UK.

This apprenticeship is designed for architects who want to develop their knowledge while working full-time. Topics covered include brief analysis and project set-up, design, project delivery, construction and building procurement, and leadership and practice management.

 

Internal audit professional

The Internal Audit Professional apprenticeship has been developed by employers, with the University as an active adviser throughout the process, giving us a keen insight into the rationale and drivers behind each of the knowledge, skills and behaviours defined. The programme has been designed for those working within the internal audit profession who are looking to move into a management role, giving them the conceptual understanding, knowledge and skills to contribute positively to the organisations that they work for.

 

Nursing Associate

The Nursing Associate is a new role within the nursing workforce, designed to support registered nurses in delivering effective, safe and responsive nursing care in a wide range in primary, secondary, community and social care settings. This apprenticeship is designed to prepare individuals for this role, covering areas such as professional values, person-centred approaches to care, communication, teamworking and leadership, duty of care, and research and innovation..

 

Registered Nurse

Registered nurses work in the public, independent and voluntary sector and play a vital role in providing compassionate, evidence-based and person-centred care for people of all ages.

This apprenticeship provides participants with the knowledge and skills needed to perform this role, in line with the standards for proficiency set by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC). Successful completion of this apprenticeship will meet the education requirements for registration with the NMC.

 

Operating Department Practitioner

Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs) are registered healthcare professionals specialising in caring for people of all ages before, during and after surgery. ODPs work in operating departments alongside other professionals such as doctors and nurses, and take a lead role in ensuring patient safety.

This apprenticeship covers how to practice as an autonomous ODP, including calculating and recording prescribed drug doses, monitoring and recording fluid balance, monitoring pain status, maintaining a sterile working area, and responding appropriately to emergency situations.

 

Advanced Clinical Practitioner

Advanced Clinical Practitioners are experienced clinicians who manage specific elements of clinical care independently, providing care and treatment for an individual from admission to discharge. They carry out their full range of duties in relation to individuals’ physical and mental healthcare and in acute, primary, urgent and emergency settings.

Participants on this degree apprenticeship are taught key competencies in clinical practice, clinical leadership and research, and will leave with a degree-level qualification on completion.

 

Construction Site Management

This apprenticeship is for those who are associated with the management of building construction projects, based on sites or in offices. Typical job titles include Construction Site Manager, Assistant Construction Site Manager, Site Manager, Sub Agent, Assistant Site Manager or Construction Planner.

Topics covered include planning and organising work, health and safety, quality management, sustainability, contractual and legal issues, commercial strategy and team development. This apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve full member or chartered status with the industry’s recognised professional bodies.

 

Senior Leader

This apprenticeship is designed for anyone who has senior management responsibility – including formal governance/director responsibilities – in any sector. This can include General Managers, Senior Managers, Section Leaders, Executives, Directors, COO, CFO, CEO, CIO roles and senior military officers.

It provides the necessary knowledge and experience for those who want to be responsible for a company or organisation’s direction and vision, taking into account current market trends and influences as well as longer-term opportunities and risks.

 

Senior Healthcare Support Worker

This apprenticeship has been carefully designed in collaboration with local maternity providers, to provide apprentices with the skills they need to become a safe, competent Senior Healthcare Maternity Support Worker within the maternity workforce. It aligns with the Health Education England Maternity Support Worker Competency, Education and Career Development Framework.

Successful candidates will be equipped for a range of roles within maternity settings. They will explore maternity-focused modules that will enable them to undertake in-depth study relevant to their role within maternity services, practice, and service user groups. Apprentices will have the opportunity to develop clinical skills relating to their role as well as exploring a range of essential transferable skills and knowledge.

 

Fire Safety Engineer

Fire safety engineers provide specialist, fire-related information across the built environment to protect people and property from the effects of fire by applying science and engineering principles. They help to develop design solutions within the built environment at various stages of projects.

Topics covered include fire and smoke dynamics, legal and regulatory frameworks, construction fundamentals, fire performance and material classifications, management and maintenance requirements, and managing a team.

 

Speech and Language Therapy

Speech and language therapists support people of all ages who have communication and/or swallowing difficulties. We are one of only three universities offering this new apprenticeship, which prepares individuals to achieve excellence and professional autonomy in clinical practice.

The four-year courses covers topics including anatomy, psychology, linguistics and phonetics, and issues around both communication and swallowing difficulties. On completion, participants are able to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a speech and language therapist when they graduate.

 

End Point Assessment

An End Point Assessment (EPA) is the final part of the apprenticeship Journey. It’s an impartial, final assessment of whether the apprentice can demonstrate the requisite knowledge, skills and behaviours set out in the apprenticeship standard.

End Point Assessment

Case studies

Joshua Hughes: BEng (Hons)Broadcast and Communications Engineering - BBC Apprenticeship Scheme

"I was most surprised by the amount of support and guidance that was available to me and my group, both from my employer and the University. If we’ve needed extra resources, they’ve gone out of their way to supply them."

Charlotte Beresford: Foundation Degree Assistant Practitioner Apprenticeship (maternity pathway)

"I now have skills and knowledge required to assist the multidisciplinary team in a maternity emergency. I can confidently take blood and maternal observations and help to do baby observations too."

Elise Merchant: Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship

"The staff at the University have been excellent, particularly now we've been coming here for over a year and they know how we work - we're getting a lot of the background knowledge we need in the workplace, so we can bring that to the table and it's less of a lecture, more of a discussion, which is quite a unique aspect of doing an apprenticeship."

Younus Khan: Postgraduate Engineer Degree Apprenticeship

"Since starting the degree, combined with the training received on Severn Trent’s graduate scheme, I have vastly improved as an engineer and future leader. I am communicating at a higher technical and professional level than previously. The contents of the postgraduate degree are diverse and engaging, so I’m constantly learning and then transferring this knowledge onto the projects I am working on."

Thomas Cave: BEng (Hons)Broadcast and Communications Engineering - BBC Apprenticeship Scheme

"The staff at the University have been fantastic. If ever I’ve had a problem I can contact them and they will point me in the right direction every time. I was pleased to find that we get full access to all the student resources."

 

APPRENTICESHIPS IN DEVELOPMENT

We are constantly looking for new areas to expand our apprenticeship provision and are currently working on new programmes in the areas listed below. Please keep checking back, or contact us for the latest information.

  • Digital Technology Solutions Professional
  • Building Services Design Engineering
  • Radiographer
  • Sonographer
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