Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study. Apprenticeships are recognised as the leading standard for work-based training and there are lots of benefits for doing an apprenticeship or employing one.
University Centre Newbury (UCN) has a range of higher apprenticeships available from Levels 4-7 in areas such as Business & Finance, Engineering, Digital Technologies, Leadership & Management, Graphic Design, Health & Social Care and Children’s Development & Learning.
We work in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University and the University of Northampton to deliver degree apprenticeships and develop exciting new opportunities that meet the training needs of local employers.
Higher Apprenticeship Case Studies
"I like the combination of learning what all the different departments in my workplace do. I get to rotate with them every few months, learning how the business works and why it works in that way. When I finish my apprenticeship, I'll have a Degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, which is quite impressive really, and so hopefully I'll go into more of a managerial role or take on larger projects."
"I started off my career at Diamond Light Source on a 4-year apprenticeship before the one I'm doing currently and that was as soon as I came out of school. I felt like that was the best option for me. I wasn't necessarily academic to a point where I'd fit well with A-Levels and university, so I thought I'd take a different route, a bit more practical and has a balance between college and work."
"I'm in my third year of my degree. I did my original ONC back in 1996, so I started my qualifications, but I didn't complete the process as a typical apprentice would, so the opportunity arose for me to come back and actually finish off my qualifications. I'm hoping it will lead to a senior mechanical design position and then potentially move into project engineering management."
"Our apprentices help to design and build cutting-edge components for particle accelerators, lasers and satellites, pretty much from day one and they get to work alongside and be taught by a diverse range of professionals with years of experience and skill. I think apprenticeships are the perfect blend of theory and training, very much like you would receive at a college or university but combined with the opportunity to actually put that knowledge into practice within a workplace setting."
Utilise Degree Apprenticeships for technically trained, retained and rewarded staff
Discover how to utilise Degree Apprenticeships to upskill your existing employees or engage new starts. Apprenticeships are a cost-effective solution that can be used to retain and develop staff or attract new employees as part of your talent pipeline.
The Degree Apprenticeship programmes are offered in collaboration with partner universities to enable the achievement of a career-focused degree locally. Apprentices study at UCN one day a week, developing skills and knowledge for progression while continuing their day job as paid and valued employees, applying skills as they work.
The benefits of Degree Apprenticeships include:
- Tailored Development - Customised modules to perfectly fit your business needs
- Strategic Alignment - Enhance employee skills aligned with your company’s strategic goals
- Blended Learning - Academic knowledge combined with practical workplace application
- Cost-Effective Investment - Government-funded programme maximising your training budget
Get in touch today to connect with the team that will help you nurture and develop business talent.
Degree Apprenticeships
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Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6
Apprenticeship Standard: ST0151
The Embedded Electronic System Design and Development Engineers programme has been meticulously crafted to empower aspiring engineers with the essential skills and knowledge required in the dynamic field of embedded systems. In addition to Engineering competence, staff will develop programming, system design, and software development skills using a well-planned, logical, and systematic approach to improve your engineering career.
The Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship is offered by UCN in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University, enabling the achievement of a career-focused degree locally. Apprentices study at UCN one day a week, developing skills and knowledge for progression while continuing their day job as paid and valued employees, applying skills as they work.
The Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will enable staff to develop skills in:
- Hardware & software integration of embedded systems
- Project management in undertaking engineering activities
- Establishing design briefs, presenting and discussing technical proposals
- Managing and controlling product design change
- Supporting team feasibility design reviews
- Demonstrating technical and commercial management in planning and managing tasks and resources
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Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6
Apprenticeship Standard: ST0025
The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship is offered by UCN in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University, enabling the achievement of a career-focused degree locally. Apprentices study at UCN one day a week, developing skills and knowledge for progression while continuing their day job as paid and valued employees, applying skills as they work.
Degree Apprenticeships can be utilised to upskill or progress existing staff or attract new talent.
The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will enable staff to:
- Develop core engineering skills
- Embed practical learning techniques and academic understanding
- Form a logical and systematic approach to engineering
- Model skills to design for manufacture
- Expand leadership and management capabilities
Manufacturing Engineers primarily support the delivery of design programmes to manufacture. The apprenticeship focuses on the advanced manufacturing techniques and project management skills required to launch quality products on time and on cost.
The Manufacturing Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will enable staff to:
- Develop core engineering skills
- Embed practical learning techniques and academic understanding
- Form a logical and systematic approach to engineering
- Model skills to design for manufacture
- Expand leadership and management capabilities
The apprenticeship will enable the development of skills such as securing appropriate resources, managing budgets and resources, and implementing, monitoring, and evaluating engineering processes.
Skills developed within this Degree will include:
- Design for Manufacture
- Leadership and Management
- Work-based Research Project
This standard has been designed to meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for initial registration as an Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Further professional development and registration is subject to candidates successfully completing the appropriate learning, developing the appropriate competence, and undergoing professional review.
An apprenticeship is a genuine job, and an apprentice will be employed from day one. Apprenticeships combine practical training in a job with study.
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Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship Level 6
Apprenticeship Standard: ST0027
Product Design & Development Engineers work on all stages of product creation, product modification and product componentry. They support activities ranging on early concept feasibility, Computer Aided Design and other modelling, activities and stages through to final preparation for launch and customers. This includes working in concept studios, rapid prototyping, assembly, testing, validating and analysing performance. They work closely with suppliers and managers in bringing new concepts to life or contributing to redesigns of existing products.
The Product Design & Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship is offered by UCN in collaboration with Buckinghamshire New University, enabling the achievement of a career-focused degree locally. Apprentices study at UCN one day a week, developing skills and knowledge for progression while continuing their day job as paid and valued employees, applying skills as they work.
Degree Apprenticeships can be utilised to upskill or progress existing staff or attract new talent.
The Product Design and Development Engineer Degree Apprenticeship will enable staff to:
- Develop core engineering skills
- Embed practical learning techniques and academic understanding
- Form a logical and systematic approach to engineering
- Model engineering design skills
- Expand leadership and management capabilities
This degree is offered with two specialist pathways, chosen either in electrical and electronics or mechanical engineering.
Mechanical Pathway includes:
- Design for Manufacture
- Leadership and Management
- Work-based Research Project
Electrical and Electronics Pathway includes:
- Power Electronics and Drives for Electrical Machines and Renewable Energy Systems
- Leadership and Management
- Work-based Research Project
The degree element has been accredited by the Institute of Engineering Designers (IED) to IEng level and provides professional recognition for the study undertaken.
This standard has been designed to meet the professional standards of the Engineering Council for initial registration as an Engineering Technician (Eng Tech) in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Further professional development and registration are subject to candidates successfully completing the appropriate learning, developing the appropriate competence, and undergoing professional review.
An apprenticeship is a genuine job, and an apprentice will be employed from day one. Apprenticeships combine academic learning with practical training on the job and are designed to produce well-rounded, competent engineers.