Trudy Harrison joined in discussions around how universities can increase degree apprenticeships.
Apprenticeship Ambassador, Trudy joined university staff at the Manchester School of Art, part of Manchester Metropolitan University for a roundtable event.
The focus of the roundtable was to look at how universities can engage in developing and delivering degree apprenticeships across a range of subjects, while bringing higher education leaders together to share experiences, opportunities and challenges.
The event was held as part of the 11th annual National Apprenticeship Week, designed to showcase how apprenticeships work for individuals, businesses, communities and the wider economy, whilst encouraging the country’s young people to consider an apprenticeship as their pathway to a career.
Trudy, said: “I was very pleased to be invited to meet with some of the best universities in the north of England to discuss how we can deliver more degree apprenticeships. Higher and degree level apprentices are transforming lives, providing the academic balance to technical excellence, and I want to see even more opportunities for degrees without debt being offered across England.
“I would like to thank Malcolm Press of Manchester Metropolitan University for bringing so many universities together to discuss the barriers to further development and opportunities ahead of us all.”
Manchester Metropolitan University is pioneering innovative Degree Apprenticeship programmes, addressing the current skills gaps and future proofing key industries in the UK.
Professor Malcolm Press, Vice-Chancellor of Manchester Metropolitan University, said: “We were delighted to welcome colleagues from across the university sector and the Rt Hon Trudy Harrison MP to our degree apprenticeship roundtable event.
“As one of the first providers of degree apprenticeships, we instantly identified their value for apprentices and employers alike. Degree apprenticeships recognise that different models of learning suit different people and it is our role as a university to reflect that.
“Our degree apprentices are already excelling through programmes in Digital & Technology Solutions, Chartered Management and soon on our MBA Degree Apprenticeship. The courses are shaped with employers, helping to directly address skill shortages or wider issues, such as UK productivity, while providing apprentices with industry-relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours. Their value is recognised by some of the UK’s leading companies with whom we partner, such as AstraZeneca, Barclays, United Utilities, Thales, Lloyds, Shop Direct and McDonald’s, among others.”
Since launching the first programme in 2015, more than 650 apprentices have joined degree apprenticeships at Manchester Metropolitan University - with almost one in ten of all UK Degree Apprentices studying at the university.
The University currently offers four degree apprenticeship programmes including Chartered Manager, Digital & Technology Solutions, MBA and Laboratory Scientist.
