Gower College Swansea and Cardiff University partner to upskill Wales’ engineering industry

A Welsh Government backed partnership between Gower College Swansea (@GowerCollegeSwa) and Cardiff University (@cardiffuni) will enable businesses and professionals to benefit from Wales’ first Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship programme.   

The BEng Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship programme is designed to support businesses to recruit and continually develop their engineering teams, while enabling the latest university learning to be immediately implemented by Welsh businesses.

The fully funded Degree Apprenticeship, which is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Incorporated Engineer status, is available for both existing employees and newly recruited staff working within the engineering industry.

Personalised remote learning provision will also reduce the need to travel to college and university, ensuring that engineers across South Wales can access opportunities to futureproof their careers, while exploring all engineering industry areas including, mechanics, project management, integrated product design, and thermodynamics.

Demand for the ten Welsh Government-funded places on the Degree’s first intake is already high from businesses and individuals who recognise the successes Gower College Swansea and Cardiff University have achieved in the sector. Most recently that includes Gower College Swansea being named the UK Engineering and Manufacturing Provider of the Year at the FE Week and AELP AAC National Apprenticeship Awards.

To enrol, individuals must hold a level three qualification to be considered for the course. Successful candidates will then study towards their level four and five qualifications at Gower College Swansea, before transferring to Cardiff University to complete the final two years of the university level degree.

Commenting on the degree programme’s launch, Denise Thomas, Learning Area Manager for Engineering at Gower College Swansea, said: “Our partnership with Cardiff University is a direct response to the need we know exists within the Welsh engineering sector.

“This Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship is truly unique and follows years of development, founded on our experience of supporting leading Welsh businesses and professionals. Our integrated approach will blend mechanical, electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineering, to enable individuals to gain a broad knowledge base, while helping to ensure that Wales develops the talent required for multidisciplinary engineering environments.

“By combining our strengths as a UK award winning further education provider, with those of one of the UK’s leading universities, we aim to give Wales’ engineering sector the advantage when recruiting new talent and to further develop their workforces.”

Dr Phil Anderson at Cardiff University, notably crowned the top university in Wales by The Complete University Guide 2022, said: “This partnership with Gower College Swansea is pivotal in supporting our regional engineering industry to upskill and professionalise their workforces.

“The BEng Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship provides learners with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and professionalise each key area of the engineering industry. Our integrated, flexible course delivery is key in allowing these learners and earners to immediately implement their new knowledge and understanding of engineering straight into their careers, even as they learn, allowing them to futureproof their path.”