University College of Estate Management (UCEM) acquires apprenticeship management business

University College of Estate Management (UCEM) acquires the apprenticeship management business of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) – Acquisition furthers growth of Built Environment apprenticeships team

UCEM (leading provider of supported online education for the Built Environment) today announced it has acquired the apprenticeship management business of the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT). 

The two organisations, which were already collaborating to deliver a single set of apprenticeship services formalised the relationship yesterday which resulted in the transfer of CSTT’s apprenticeship operating business to UCEM. CSTT will continue to operate as a separate business to further its charitable purpose.

Since September 2015, UCEM has successfully delivered both Surveying Technician and Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship standards, with over 600 apprentices currently on programme.

UCEM estimates it currently delivers:

• 8% of all degree apprenticeships across all subjects/sectors
• 56% of all degree apprenticeships in the built environment
• 73% of all surveying apprenticeships.

Prior to today, UCEM and CSTT have been working together to deliver surveying apprenticeships for learners at Level 3 (technical diploma) and Level 6 (degree level). The acquisition will increase capacity across the team to meet the growing demand from employers, arising from the introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy earlier in 2017.  The team will continue provision at these levels as well as being primed to launch apprenticeship provision up to Level 7 (Master’s level) when the government introduces these Built Environment apprenticeship standards. 

UCEM CEO and Principal, Ashley Wheaton, said: “I’m delighted that UCEM is able to expand further its apprenticeship support in the Built Environment with the addition of the CSTT apprenticeship team and their related expertise. I am sure that our apprenticeship provision will go from strength to strength with the expanded apprenticeships team looking to the needs of apprentices and employers.”

Chairman of CSTT, William Hill, commented: “With the new apprenticeship programmes in surveying now firmly established it makes considerable operational sense to unite the management of the apprenticeships under one roof.  UCEM as the leading provider of supported online education to the Built Environment is best place to do this. CSTT, which was set up by the Chartered Surveyor’s livery company, will continue its charitable objective of helping young people to access careers in surveying with the emphasis on improving diversity and helping the disadvantaged. It will be looking to the industry for financial support to achieve this.”

About UCEM: University College of Estate Management is the leading provider of supported online education for the Built Environment, with over 95 years’ experience in providing the highest quality learning opportunities. At any one time, it has over 3,500 students from more than 100 countries benefiting from its qualifications taught by tutors with extensive industry experience.

UCEM helps to enhance Built Environment professional careers through its accredited property-related and construction programmes, offered at Postgraduate, Undergraduate and Apprenticeship levels.

About CSTT: The CSTT provide the life changing opportunity of a debt free and tutor supported Surveying Apprenticeship, at both diploma and degree level. Established by the Worshipful Company of Chartered Surveyors in 1984, the trust operates as an independent charity and prides itself in its ability to support a wide range of people, including those with financial, social or academic barriers, as well as under-represented groups in the industry, such as ethnic minorities and females.

CSTT work with a wide range of high-profile employers throughout England including CBRE, Turner and Townsend, Savills, Network Rail and the Valuation Office Agency. The trust is currently providing over 300 apprentices a wide range of services, from application through to qualification, including the initial recruitment of apprentices, education, pastoral care, financial support and programme funding through the Skills Funding Agency.