Universities to create more than 1,000 new apprenticeships in Sheffield

Sheffield Hallam University has revealed plans to offer places for 1,270 apprentices over three years.

The degree-level courses will cover areas of 'regional priority' such as physiotherapy, paramedic practice and digital and quantity surveying.

The university won £500,000 from the Higher Education Funding Council for England, or HEFCE, to create the places.

Vice-chancellor professor Chris Husbands said: "Universities have a key role to play in driving innovation, economic growth and creating jobs.

"Sheffield Hallam has been a trailblazer in offering higher and degree apprenticeships in collaboration with key industry partners including Nestle and JCB.

“I am delighted the university has been awarded this funding to help us further develop our degree apprenticeship provision and help meet the skills requirements of our regional economy.

"We will work closely with HEFCE and industry partners to respond to this challenge to develop the very highest quality apprenticeships which allow talented young people to take this pioneering route, fully funded by industry."

Hallam is also working with the University of Sheffield to create 90 bespoke engineering apprenticeships. It is the first cross-city university collaboration in engineering and will use the expertise of the Sheffield Hallam University’s Materials and Engineering Research Institute and the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre.

University of Sheffield vice-chancellor Sir Keith Burnett said: “Filling the skills gap in engineering is a crucial issue for the UK’s economy. Universities have an important part to play in developing this workforce that will play a key element in driving economic growth.

“I am delighted that the University of Sheffield is able to work with HEFCE and Sheffield Hallam University to develop this innovative new degree-level apprenticeship programme that will provide young people with an alternative route to higher education through the highest quality vocational qualifications.

“It is crucial for both young people and for the country that we have diverse opportunities of the very highest quality, endorsed by employers and leading if a student wishes to other opportunities in both education and their careers."

And academics from Hallam's National Centre of Excellence for Food Engineering will team up with the University of Lincoln and the National Skills Academy for Food and Drink on a food engineering degree apprenticeship.

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