UK’s First Ever College ‘Academic Partnership’ Announced for #NationalApprenticeshipWeek

To mark National Apprenticeship Week 2019 (4 – 8 March), an international engineering association announced it is forming the first ever academic partnership agreement with a further education college in the UK.

The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), which has 92,000 members globally, attended the Hunslet Campus of Leeds College of Building yesterday (Tuesday 5 March) to launch the partnership. The agreement, usually reserved for higher education institutions, is designed to advance the capabilities of the next generation of engineers.

Until now, ICE academic partnerships have allowed undergraduate and postgraduate students, both on-campus and globally, to complete part of their professional engineering training while studying at university. Now, students at a further-education level will be able to access the same pathway to attaining a professional qualification and have the opportunity for broader connections with employers.

During the launch event, five ICE ‘QUEST Technician Scholarships’ were awarded to top Apprentices at Leeds College of Building (Ruth Watson, William Rose, Tim O’Connor, Joshua Clarke, and Chris Meredith) and one toa student from Leeds Beckett University (Amy Farrell).

These highly sought-after and well-respected Quest Scholarshipsare considered in industry to be a benchmark of excellenceand are only awarded to candidates who display exceptional abilities and potential.  

Penny Marshall, Regional Director for ICE Yorkshire and Humber, said: 
“This exciting new agreement opens up opportunities for students to engage directly with industry. QUEST Scholarships are a sign of true excellence. Winners need to be both good leaders and team players; with ambition, determination and the ability to act and think independently. The 2019 scholars are all very talented and deserving winners. Their enthusiasm, determination and dedication clearly impressed the panel of judges. There’s no doubt they all have promisingcareers ahead of them.”

Vicky Patterson, Curriculum Manager for Technical and Professional Apprenticeships at Leeds College of Building, said:
“Since being named as BTEC Apprenticeship Provider of the Year in 2018, Leeds College of Building has solidified its position as a leader in the sector. Now, getting chosen by ICE for the first ever UK college academic partnership agreement, we are in a better position than ever to go above and beyond our normal duties to enhance the Apprentice’s experiences and ensure that we produce the most creative and brilliant young Technicians and Engineers of the future.”

To find out more about Apprenticeship opportunities, visit the Apprenticeship Open Event on Thursday 7 March, 5-7pm, at the Leeds College of Building North Street Campus.