STUDENTS at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) have become the first in Scotland to complete their Graduate Apprenticeships (GA).
The university, in partnership with the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), was the first in the country to develop and pilot a GA in Civil Engineering at its Inverness College and is now working with its third cohort of apprentices.
They are working in the industry while studying for a combination of SVQs and a Diploma of Higher Education (level eight).
The first graduates met this month at Inverness College UHI to provide input into the new GA in BEng civil engineering at honours degree level, which starts in September.
This followed the university’s successful bid to Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to run the four-year SCQF level 10 work-based learning programme, which means that along with its foundation and modern apprenticeship programmes, UHI now provides a work-based learning pathway in civil engineering from the senior phase of school to honours degree.
Inverness College UHI is working with its partner employers to shape delivery of the new GA BEng, including Balfour Beatty, D MacKay and Son, Global, John Gunn and Sons, Highland Council, Moray Council, Morgan Sindall, Morrison Construction, Mott MacDonald, Pat Munro, Springfield Properties and Robertson.
The level 10 and level eight GAs are similar in that students spend most of their time in the workplace, attending university for block release supported by online learning.
‘On the job’ work they do counts towards their qualification and, on completion of their studies, they will leave with an honours degree, vocational qualification plus four years of invaluable industry experience.
Civil engineer Sean Melville, who works for Morgan Sindall, was among the first GA graduates. The former Inverness Royal Academy pupil has worked on a range of projects from the flood alleviation works at the River Ness and a hydro scheme in Wester Ross to resurfacing a Glasgow Airport runway.
“I completed my modern apprenticeship in civil engineering with Inverness College UHI and then moved away,” he said.
“But when I found out there was an opportunity to study the Diploma in Higher Education as a GA I moved back as I had experience of the college and the lecturers.”
Civil engineer Ross MacInnes, who works for Morrison Construction and recently completed his GA, said: “The work-based learning route worked for me because I could link the study to work-based activity and my understanding of the course content was better because of this.”
Carrie Higgins, civil engineering GA programme leader, said UHI was proud to be a GA pioneer.
“We’re working hard with these students and our partner employers to shape delivery of the level 10, which starts this September and will allow apprentices to study right up to honours degree level,” she said.
“Our strong relationship with industry and our experience delivering a GA gives Inverness College UHI a real edge when it comes to this new course.”
Jonathan Clark, from SDS, added: “Graduate Apprenticeships have made learning more accessible, giving employees the opportunity to develop their skills and get qualified whilst still at work. The growth and success of Graduate Apprenticeships at UHI shows that they work for businesses and individuals and meet the needs of the local economy.”
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