The first cohort of degree
apprentices from Balfour Beatty,
training to become construction quantity surveyors at Northumbria University
have graduated.
Launched in January 2021, the Construction
Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship was designed in collaboration with leading
international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty, to meet the
requirements of a national contractor market.
The initial cohort of apprentices
graduated last week at Northumbria’s winter congregations.
Due to its success, the programme
has since expanded, working with industry partners across the country, and has recently
accepted over four times more apprentices than the initial cohort for 2024.
Dr Susan Dawson, Assistant
Professor in Northumbria’s Department
for Architecture and Built Environment said: "This industry-led degree
apprenticeship program directly addresses critical national skills gaps. The
growth of the programme in such a short space of time is a testament to the
innovative hybrid model, designed with Balfour Beatty which incorporates
structured employer participation.
“The first cohort has been
overwhelmingly successful, achieving a 100% pass rate and further demonstrating
the success of our cognitive apprenticeship approach. Congratulations to our
2024 graduates, we can’t wait to see what you do next."
The programme covers technical
topics such as construction technology, sustainability, and contracts, though
most of the learning is in the workplace. Professional practice modules on the
course focus on behaviours in the apprenticeship standard and encourage the
apprentices to reflect on the degree apprenticeship as a whole.
Tammy Nolan, a Balfour Beatty degree
apprentice based in Warrington said: “Coming in as a mature student having left
school in 1996, the structure and flexibility of the programme was ideal for
me. I was able to continue working full-time, while learning and still being
able to look after my home. The transition back into education worked really
well for me.
“My Balfour Beatty mentors and the
teaching staff at Northumbria have been excellent and supportive throughout the
four years and it was lovely to have my colleagues at Balfour Beatty with me in
Newcastle to see me graduate, as they’ve been with me every step of the way.”
Liam Meehan, a Balfour Beatty degree
apprentice based in London added: “I’ve visited Northumbria’s city campus on a
few occasions for face-to-face sessions each semester, where the apprentices
were able to meet each other and socialise, but it’s been particularly exciting
to be here for my graduation.
“Both Balfour Beatty and
Northumbria have been great and made this such a positive experience, even
during the more stressful times leading up to deadlines. I’m grateful to have
received this formal recognition of all the work that has gone into completing
the programme.”
The Construction Quantity
Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship was curated with technology-enabled teaching in
mind that extends the programme far beyond the North-East region.
Tim Howarth, Commercial Training
Manager at Balfour Beatty explained
how one of the great things about this programme is that apprentices from
across England can participate in the same degree apprenticeship experience.
He said: “It is pleasing to have
worked with the University to support the success of 17 Balfour Beatty
graduates and many more to come. As a result of this progressive and novel
degree apprenticeship, Balfour Beatty has developed a tight-knit community of
quantity surveying apprentices from a diverse range of exciting projects and
work sectors.
“It is a great example of
academia and industry collaborating closely to deliver targeted personal
development and growth in professional capability, competence, and academic
excellence. Ongoing collaboration between Northumbria University and Balfour
Beatty is a key component of this apprenticeship. Supporting and nurturing the
growth and success of apprentices is critical to the future of our industry.”
Northumbria University is a
leading Higher and Degree Apprenticeship training provider. Higher and Degree
Apprenticeships are an alternative route to attaining a full undergraduate or
postgraduate degree qualification by offering learners the best of both worlds,
through combining university study with workplace learning.
Find out more about Degree Apprenticeships
at Northumbria University and the Construction
and Quantity Surveying programme.
