We spoke to Julie Halford who looks after apprenticeships and business development at the University of Roehampton, to find out more about the industry connections that the Sustainable Engineering and Technology department has.
Julie is the Senior Project Leader of degree apprenticeships and business development at Roehampton. Her role involves overseeing the OfS apprenticeship funding project and the Civil Engineering programme, ensuring the curriculum is aligned with industry standards, fostering partnerships with leading employers to develop pathways to apprenticeships and jobs, providing students with valuable real-world experience.
What degree apprenticeships do we offer in Sustainable Engineering and Technology?
Roehampton offers degree apprenticeships in Construction Management and in Civil Engineering that are designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the rapidly evolving sectors of sustainable engineering. These programmes combine academic learning with practical, on-the-job training, allowing students to earn while they learn and gain hands-on experience in their chosen field.
Can you tell us a bit more about the benefits of undertaking a degree apprenticeship?
Earn while you learn: apprentices receive a salary while completing their degree.
No tuition fees: the cost of the degree is covered by the employer and government funding.
Practical experience: apprentices gain valuable work experience, making them highly employable and ready to tackle industry challenges upon graduation. Apprentices are work ready and this is a requirement employers have stated they want in Local Skills Improvement Plans (LSIPs) nationally.
Career progression: the combination of academic and technical, practice-based training prepares apprentices for leadership roles and career advancement.
Lifelong learning: apprenticeships foster a habit of continuous learning, helping individuals stay adaptable and relevant in their careers.
What employers does Roehampton work with?
We work with large construction firms such as:
- Tony Gee
- Mace
- Arup
- Sewell Group
- Bouygues
- Lendlease
- Morris and Company
These partnerships help ensure our apprentices gain exposure to various aspects of the industry and benefit from a broad spectrum of expertise.
What can students expect from our industry connections?
Students can expect robust industry connections that enhance their learning experience. These include:
- Work Experience: opportunities to work on interdisciplinary real-life projects.
- Project-Based Learning (PBL): engaging in projects that address real-world challenges.
- Industry Years: extended placements within companies to gain in-depth industry knowledge and networking.
- Mentorship: access to mentors who provide guidance and support throughout the apprenticeship.
- Role Models and Champions: interaction with industry leaders who inspire and motivate students.
- Career Education: workshops and seminars on career paths and choices.
- Interdisciplinary Learning: a curriculum that integrates various disciplines, reflecting the interconnected nature of sustainable engineering.
- Employer-Informed Curriculum: courses designed in collaboration with industry partners to ensure relevance and applicability that are current and future proofed.
- Job Opportunities: enhanced employability and a competitive edge in the job market upon graduation with clear progression into employment of further study for career promotion.
- Digitally enabled students: we are committed to preparing our students for the 4th industrial revolution by embedding cutting-edge technology into our curriculum.
Our approach includes:
- Embracing AI: integrating artificial intelligence into our teaching methods and projects, allowing students to work with this transformative technology.
- State-of-the-Art Equipment: providing students with hands-on experience using the latest tools and technologies available in the industry.
- Industry Collaboration: partnering with employers who utilise up-to-date resources, ensuring our students gain practical experience with the technologies they will encounter in their careers and discussing future technology over the next 15-20 years.
- Fostering a digitally enabled learning environment: we ensure our students are not only prepared for the future but are also at the forefront of innovation and technological advancement.
Partnering with employers who utilise up-to-date resources is a key aspect of our approach at Roehampton. This ensures our students gain practical experience with the latest technologies. Additionally, we engage in discussions about future technologies to prepare our students for the advancements they will see over the next 15-20 years.
Interested in studying engineering? Find out more here.