March 4, 2019, by Liz Cass

The Midlands Universities Apprenticeship Network

As National Apprenticeship Week starts this week the Midlands Universities Apprenticeship Network (MUAN) is working to ensure that employers are aware of range of apprenticeships available universities across the Midlands.

Apprenticeships help employers to tailor learning to their own strategic issues and priorities and are an impactful way for businesses to attract, develop and retain talent, and improve productivity. Apprentices, whether they are existing or new staff members, can gain a qualification at up to Masters level alongside their usual employment.

Paul Faulkner, Chief Executive, Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce, said: “We are proud to hear that the Universities across the Midlands will be working in collaboration to encourage employees to take up degree-level apprenticeships.

“At the Chamber we have been very vocal in our support of apprenticeships as a fantastic, vocational route into work for individuals at all levels. We have engaged multiple stakeholders on optimising the apprenticeship system to suit businesses of all sizes. And we’ve worked closely with many Midlands colleges and universities to encourage local businesses to consider apprenticeships as a means to develop their workforces.

“With skills gaps a persistent issue in our region – particularly Greater Birmingham – degree-level apprenticeships are a brilliant opportunity for these businesses and Midlands residents and must be taken full advantage of. It is fantastic to see this collaborative effort to spread the word and upskill local talent.”

The University of Nottingham has programmes available at higher and degree level in the following sectors: Engineering and Built Environment, Health and Social Care, Computing/Data Security and Management.

MUAN is well linked to the Local Enterprise Partnerships and Chamber of Commerce in the region. It’s working closely with them to ensure that the needs of levy and non-levy paying employers are being met, and that local and regional skills gaps are being addressed. We want to work together with regional employers to ensure that levy raised from the region, stays within the region and to de-mystify apprenticeships for employers.

Posted in partnerships