Why choose BCU?

Our apprenticeships build on our well-established reputation for delivering in-company training and development programmes. 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.

We are currently working with over 230 employers, delivering 22 apprenticeship standards. 76% of our apprenticeships are based in our Health, Education and Life Sciences faculty, and we are the supplier of choice for local NHS Trusts. 

A representative from University Hospital Birmingham said: “University Hospitals Birmingham partners with BCU as our preferred HEI to train and develop our Nursing Associates who are on an apprenticeship programme. This has been a dynamic and innovative partnership that has seen clinical education and practice merge effectively to provide sound governance and trainee support.”

For a smaller business, the breadth and variety of apprenticeship opportunities can be hard to keep up with, especially for those without dedicated Human Resources or a Learning and Development team. This is why working with a trusted business support partner like BCU can provide small businesses with a clear starting point.

When we work with a company on an apprenticeship, we will devise a tailor-made offer based on its needs and offer dedicated support throughout the process. Businesses who work with us on a degree apprenticeship have a named contact who they can speak to at any time with any questions or concerns.

As a business, offering apprenticeships is a way to attract high-quality new talent, with most participants desiring 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. Apprentices perform productive work while completing their apprenticeship, giving employers an instant return on their investment.