New degree apprenticeships announced to help build the Wales of the future
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) has teamed up with Welsh Government to launch new degree apprenticeships in Construction Management, and Quantity Surveying.
Starting in September 2024, these four-year programmes, fully funded by Welsh Government, will offer students the chance to earn a degree while gaining hands-on experience.
With the construction sector alone needing an extra 11,000 workers by 2028, the new degree apprenticeships come at a crucial time.
Professor Elwen Evans, KC, Vice-Chancellor of UWTSD said: “We are delighted that the Construction Degree Apprenticeships are now available for employers and apprentices in the sector. These programmes will enable individuals to develop a high-level skill set that will benefit them and their employers in a fast moving and exciting sector.”
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.”
Gareth Williams, Standards and Qualifications Manager (Wales) for CITB said: “People wanting to work in construction need clear career pathways into the industry and these new construction degree apprenticeships are a significant milestone towards achieving this. The launch of these apprenticeships also demonstrates a sector pulling together in a shared direction to overcome industry and broader challenges.”
Employers are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by hiring new apprentices or upskilling their current workforce. The programme is open to people of all ages, whether they’re fresh out of A-Levels or Level-4 apprenticeships or are already working.
Jac Beynon, (pictured) is employed as an assistant Quantity Surveyor at Jones Brothers (Henllan) Ltd in Cross Hands, Llanelli and has just completed his HND in Quantity Surveying at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David as part of his Higher Apprenticeship programme. He will be one of the first cohort to start the new degree apprenticeship programme at UWTSD in September.
Jac, aged 21, said: “I have been involved in construction from a very young age due to my father having his own construction company, so I would often go out to various sites and visit him wherever he was working. This led to me working part time with him as I got older and when I had time off from school and on weekends. This gave me a valuable understanding of the industry from a young age.
“I knew I didn’t want to be on site or in the office full-time so as I finished my A-Levels in school I was exploring my options in 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.
“Quantity Surveying caught my eye as I thought it would be perfect – time in university to learn new skills and time on site to put them into practice.
“My primary aim is to gain practical, hands-on experience in my chosen field. 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.”
Further Information
Rebecca Davies
Executive Press and Media Relations Officer
Corporate Communications and PR
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk
Phone: 07384 467071