Employ an apprentice

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As a business, offering apprenticeships is a unique way to attract high-quality new talent and fill skills gaps in the workforce. Staff who have trained whilst working at 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. Birmingham City University offers comprehensive support and advice to businesses who would like to provide an apprenticeship, as well as academic and pastoral support to our apprentices.

Why partner with BCU?

Over 1400 apprentices are undertaking higher and degree level apprenticeships with BCU, while working in a paid full-time job. They are gaining real experience on the job, and their employers pay the tuition fees. Our overall qualification achievement rate is higher than the national average meaning that more apprentices that study with BCU successfully complete and achieve their qualification*.

74.1% Qualification Achievement Rate

at BCU vs. 60.5% nationally

74.5% Qualification Retention Rate

at BCU vs. 61.9% nationally

99.4% Qualification Pass Rate

at BCU vs. 97.6% nationally

By partnering with us, you and your apprentices will receive ongoing support, including:

A dedicated account manager
A dedicated skills coach to provide tailored pastoral and academic support to your apprentice
Ongoing advice on available funding and financial support from the government
Ongoing guidance on incentives for employers who hire new apprentices
Access to careers fairs and open days, offering opportunities to showcase your organisation

Each qualification is developed in collaboration with an employer advisory board to ensure our programmes meet the evolving needs of businesses. We invite all partner employers to join our advisory boards.

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My name is Poppy Deacon and I'm an assistant project manager at Overby Central. I started three and a half years ago by doing a week of work experience and I'm still here now.

So at Overbbury, we were really keen to get an apprentice at BCU and we'd seen that they had really good reviews.

Apprenticeships allow us to think ahead to ensure that we have our talent pipeline and that we are developing our people to ensure that we have future

leaders. Over are a leading fit out contractor for a reason and this is the kind of environment that I want to progress my career in. Apprenticeships

in general are dynamic, versatile and often challenging. They push you out your comfort zone which is something that I probably wouldn't have felt

comfortable doing beforehand. I wanted to expand my knowledge further which meant that I could work alongside the business improvement team within Overbury.

Poppy's made a huge impact on project delivery. She gets on really well with subcontractors, with our clients and our consultants, ensuring that she is an

integral part of our project being able to hand over smoothly and ensure we have a delighted client.

Tripartite reviews happen every 3 months. They enable me to catch up with my reviewer along with someone at Overbury who is monitoring my progress.

To other employers uh considering taking on BCU apprentices, I would definitely definitely encourage you.

Apprenticeships are a great way to um develop your people and to bring diversity into your business. So, I

would never hesitate in encouraging people to do that. I've never had any regrets about doing an apprenticeship.

It's opened up avenues and opportunities that I could never imagined. And overall, I'd say do it and you'll have no regrets.

Developing future talent through apprenticeships at BCU | Overbury

Discover how apprenticeships with Birmingham City University can help businesses strengthen their teams while developing future talent. Overbury shares how their apprentice, Poppy Deakin, has made a positive impact as an Assistant Project Manager, working closely with subcontractors, clients and consultants to help projects run smoothly.

Apprenticeship Funding

Find out how Birmingham City University can help you grow your business through apprenticeships. Our team will guide you through the funding options available and support you in creating programmes that deliver real impact.

Learn more about funding

Why Choose BCU?

We work with some of the country’s leading employers, including Jewson, Mitchells and Butlers, Greene King, Mercedes-Benz Financial Services, the NHS and local authorities.

Why choose us

Employer FAQs

Read our frequently asked questions for prospective apprenticeship employers looking to work with Birmingham City University to find out more about how apprenticeships work.

Your questions answered

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

Luke, Dealer Contact ManagerMercedes-Benz Financial Services

The enthusiasm and new perspectives that the apprentices bring to our business is invaluable. I feel that they add an additional layer to the business and bring in new ideas and questions. I’ve seen some wonderful successes come from our apprentice programme.

Ready to get started?

Whether you're looking to become an apprentice or hire for your business, our dedicated team are on hand to answer your questions.

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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.

Cyber Security Level 6

Architecture Level 6

Midwife Level 6

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