Apprenticeships at UCLan

The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has launched an ambitious strategy to help meet the government’s target of three million apprenticeships in the workplace by 2020.

As Lancashire’s largest provider of graduate level qualifications, the university already has one percent of all the county’s residents enrolled on courses at any given time.

UCLan’s existing apprenticeship provision builds on its experience of offering flexible modes of delivery which integrate off the job learning and on the job training. Currently it covers a wide range of areas, including healthcare, digital, policing, construction, engineering, professional services and management. The range of provision is now expanding rapidly.

Case Study: BAE Systems

Twenty-one-year old Jack Bishop had an interest in Software Development from an early age and realised that the  was ideal for him, allowing him the opportunity to start his career debt free and with four years Software Engineering experience.

Jack explains how the Degree Apprenticeship works: “The degree primarily splits into three parts that we have to balance on a weekly basis; the university degree, the Level 4 standard and the work placements. In term time, two days of the week are spent at the University of Central Lancashire attending lectures and labs working towards the Software Engineering degree. The remainder of the week will be based in a placement within a location (Warton Aerodrome or Samlesbury Aerodrome).

“Being based in real world placements gives me responsibility to deliver work to a high standard and  strict deadlines,” Jack adds. “My favourite part of the job is knowing the work I do is beneficial to the products we deliver. Instead of being given tasks where I may not feel particularly useful, I know that I am developing software that will help push up the quality of the product.”

The degree isn’t without its challenges. “Balancing the different aspects of the apprenticeship (Level 4 standard, placement work and the degree) was a big learning curve early on in the apprenticeship,” Jack explains. “Each apprentice is responsible for creating a schedule that works for them. Even though the apprenticeship requires high time management skills, it is very rewarding overall.”

T: 01772 895500 W: uclan.ac.uk/apprenticeships