Thurso college facility to host high level apprentice engineer pilot

11th July 2014

Engineering students at North Highland College will get the chance to get hands on work experience as part of a new course based in Thurso.

The move follows a recommendation by the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce to increase the number of higher level apprenticeship opportunities and to ensure those undertaking high level qualifications receive enhanced levels of work experience.

The introduction of a new degree level course that combines higher levels of learning with the opportunity to apply new found knowledge and skills to the workplace while studying will act as a pilot for other projects courses around Scotland.

The course has been developed by Skills Development Scotland (SDS), the University of the Highlands and Island's North Highland College and Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL).

The move also builds on Scotland's successful Modern Apprenticeship programme, which has created more than 77,000 opportunities in the last three years and comes as the Scottish Government’s Cabinet pays its first visit to Wick.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said:

"The University of the Highlands and Islands has a strong track record of innovation and North Highland College is right at the heart of an area where engineering has been and will remain to be fundamental to the local economy.

"The Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce rightly stressed that our focus should be on growing opportunities in STEM areas and this is an exciting piece of work that will see new combinations of work-based study delivering for both employers and young people.

"The course will allow for students to develop skills that employers need while still being able to complete a degree and progress in a career in a key growth sector. Local firms will also be able to tap into an enthusiastic group of young women and men that are keen to develop their work based skills and show their potential to employers as up to 20 students take part over the next two years.

“This is just one of the actions that, together with partners, we are taking forward to develop a new blueprint for vocational training in Scotland. We share the Commission’s ambition for world class vocational education in Scotland and I am very much looking forward to charting the progress of the students who undertake this course."

The new model builds on existing degree equivalent, technical and professional, Modern Apprenticeships and adds to the options available to employers to recruit and develop their workforce.

Director of Service, Design and Innovation at SDS, Jonathan Clark, said:“This ground breaking pilot will provide a combined model of learning by offering experience in the workplace at the same time as participating in higher education. By bringing employers closer to education we can help challenge the division between vocational and academic career paths.

“The aim is to develop a system that produces skills that are fit-for-purpose and will meet the current and future needs of employers. We have been working with a range partners to develop this advanced apprenticeship pilot which will hopefully benefit the Highlands economy and this is just the start.

“The focus for the initial work has been around science, technology, engineering and maths, with a particular focus on engineering. However, this will be extended to other key sectors across Scotland."

Alan Ogg, Assistant Director and Head of Engineering and Technology at North Highland College UHI also said:“North Highland College UHI are delighted to be developing, in conjunction with partners, this innovative approach to advanced engineering apprenticeships. The holistic approach of learning and assessing evidence from both the work place and North Highland College will allow young people to gain the much needed work based skills and knowledge, whilst studying for an engineering degree.

“This will produce engineers with advanced levels of graduate skills who are more ‘work ready’, and who will meet the needs of employers and the wider industry. It is vital that key stakeholders and engaged in the development, to ensure the model fits industry needs."