The Welsh Government has teamed up with three universities to launch new degree apprenticeships in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying, and Real Estate.
With the construction sector alone needing an extra 11,000 workers by 2028, the new degree apprenticeships come at a crucial time.
Starting in September 2024, these four-year programmes, fully funded by the Welsh Government, will offer students the chance to earn a degree while gaining hands-on experience in employment. The courses will be offered at Wrexham University, the University of South Wales, and the University of Wales Trinity St David.
The Cabinet Secretary for the Economy, Energy, and Welsh Language, Jeremy Miles, said: “These programmes not only prepare individuals for high-demand jobs and higher wage occupations, but will also ensure a skilled, resilient and forward-looking workforce to drive economic growth and provide innovative solutions to social and climate challenges.”
Jac Beynon, an assistant Quantity Surveyor at Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd in Cross Hands, will be one of the first to benefit from the new apprenticeships in UWTSD in September. He said: “As I finished my A-Levels in school I was exploring my options as to what to do next. I thought about going to university full-time, but I didn’t like the idea of waiting three or four years before starting work. So when someone mentioned an apprenticeship scheme which would allow me to work and learn at the same time – I was sold.
“My primary aim is to gain practical, hands-on experience. I want to develop industry-specific skills that are directly applicable to real-world scenarios. Undertaking an apprenticeship is also about building confidence in my abilities to handle professional responsibilities and make informed decisions independently.”
The new apprenticeships have also been welcomed by the construction industry, and Universities. The Construction Industry Training Board praised the “sector pulling together in a shared direction to overcome industry and broader challenges”, whilst representatives from Wrexham University, the University of South Wales, and the University of Wales Trinity St David spoke positively about meeting the needs of both learners and employers, creating new and immediate opportunities and delivering high-level skill sets.
