Materials apprenticeship degree finally makes the grade
14 Feb 2020
The long-awaited new degree apprenticeship for trainees in materials science across the UK has received formal approval.
Backed by five UK universities, the Materials Science Technologist (Level 6) Degree Apprenticeship provides a bachelor’s degree qualification and workplace experience.
It recently received the go-ahead from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.
Led by the Applied Materials Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Company (AMRICC), more than 40 employers designed the qualification and worked on its launch.
Higher education collaborators include Staffordshire University, Sheffield Hallam, Queen Mary University of London, the University of Birmingham and the University of Derby.
The apprenticeship can be customised to meet the materials needs of specific companies or sectors to include a range of materials such as metals, ceramics and advanced ceramics, glass, polymers, rubbers and composites, as well as new and novel materials that will help to futureproof advanced manufacturing.
Managing director of scheme supporter James Kent (Ceramic Materials) Simon Nash said:
“It has become increasingly difficult to find people with the right qualifications to enable them to fit into our organisation quickly and effectively.
“By giving students a good grounding in ceramic technology the apprenticeship programme can help new talent to quickly succeed in and make a worthwhile contribution."
AMRICC chief executive Dr Cathryn Hickey stated that material science and engineering had a “hugely significant role” to play in the economy of the future.
“Ultimately, this apprenticeship will provide students with the skills, knowledge and competency to deliver tangible benefits to individual companies and play a part in supporting the UK economy overall with significant advances in productivity, performance, innovation and reducing environmental impact.
“We can look forward to these apprentices increasing the competitiveness and technical competence of UK Plc here and in international markets.”
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