Materials science apprenticeship degree wins funding go ahead
4 Dec 2024
The University of Birmingham and MTC Training’s new degree apprenticeship in manufacturing engineering has secured funding from the Office of Students, enabling the creation of the Level 6 qualification focused on materials science and manufacturing.
Welcoming the announcement, professor Michael Grove, deputy pro-vice-chancellor for education policy and academic standards at Birmingham, said: “This programme will help enable us to build the skills and develop the knowledge that industry employers are indicating they need amongst the next generation of manufacturing engineers.
“Having a deeper understanding of materials technologies will help empower these future cohorts of engineers to develop effective solutions to key global technological challenges, providing interdisciplinary expertise that will be essential to the sector and the UK’s industrial growth.”
Managing director at MTC Training David Grailey asserted the new qualification would prove a “game-changer” in maximising green economic opportunities.
“To achieve this, manufacturers need people with both academic and practical knowledge to make high-performance products for burgeoning industries. By designing a new apprenticeship with the University of Birmingham, manufacturers will be able to access the skilled engineers they need to grow and flourish now and in the future,” stated Grailey.
Both organisations boast considerable experience of apprenticeship provision; the university runs 15 degree-level programmes, with MTC Training delivering seven programmes across levels 2, 3 and 4.
By targeting traditionally under-represented groups, providing additional support and mentoring to learners and being flexible around entry requirements, programme leaders expect to increase participation among students from disadvantaged backgrounds and individuals who have not followed a traditional academic learning path.
“There are very few organisations with the level of expertise in both materials science and manufacturing that could deliver a degree apprenticeship of this quality,” added professor Grove.
“We are excited about the opportunities to work with the MTC to make a positive impact on a significant skills gap within the manufacturing industry as a whole.”
Pic: Filipa Saldanha
