Siemens & University of Salford launch skills partnership

According to Engineering UK, there will be more than 2.6m job openings between now and 2022 and says the UK needs double the amount of advanced engineering apprenticeships. The three organisations have outlined a Degree Apprenticeship which would allow company recruits to study block release at Trafford College and the University of Salford, working seamlessly from Higher National Certificate/Higher National Diploma to Bachelor of Engineering level.

Degree Apprenticeships, which are part government-funded, allow people to study while working and achieve higher qualifications without accruing large student debts.

Mike Houghton, Divisional Director of Process Industry and Drives, Siemens, Manchester, said: “This is a unique and exciting opportunity to work with two heavyweights of engineering education, Trafford College and the University of Salford. Siemens has 500 trainees at any given time, so this is a fantastic opportunity to add value to their careers and the region’s higher skills base.”

Sir Bill Moorcroft, Principal, Trafford College, said: “This is a fantastic project that brings together a key employer and education partners to provide an innovative pathway for high quality engineering graduates of the future that will be part of the UK’s economic growth and provide a route map for others to follow.”

Professor Paul Rowlett, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic), University of Salford said: “We are thrilled to be working with Siemens and Trafford College as a university which prides itself on its industry collaborations. This is an exciting partnership model which we hope will generate excellent options for engineers hoping to further their careers and strengthen engineering in the UK.”

Siemens and its partners hope to see the first graduates from the three-way collaboration in 2018.