The government subsidised Degree Apprenticeship schemes are proving popular with one of the region’s leading consulting civil and structural engineers. Louis Cornell who started with Romsey based WFBA 2 years ago as a Trainee Technician, has spent one day a week with Solent University to gain a HNC with distinction for Civil Engineering and will now also start a 4 year University Degree Apprenticeship at Portsmouth. He will be joined by Civil Technicians Sam Wicks and John Comer, who have been part of the Civil Engineering team for 4 years and all aiming to become Chartered Engineers.
WFBA Directors Nick Groves and Steve Hollick, welcomed Omar Lakhssassi the Business Development Executive for Degree Apprenticeships at the University, to meet the team which included some former Portsmouth University students who are now fully qualified and supporting the successful and expanding £1.60m business that provides essential support to construction projects within a broad range of market sectors which include Commercial, Marine, Residential, Education, Hotel and Leisure, and Refurbishment.
“We are pleased to help the University of Portsmouth promote the subsidised Degree Apprenticeship schemes that need to be embraced more by the construction industry. There is now no real excuse to complain about the lack of opportunity to increase the pool of suitably qualified people when businesses are only required to make a 5% contribution or their apprenticeship levy, which is very cost efficient for both employer and the employee who pay no fees,” said Steve Hollick.
The government currently subsidise 95% of Apprentice course fees for non levy payers, so companies could sponsor a full degree for as little as £2500 to attend one day a week courses at University of Portsmouth to become chartered engineers. Omar Lakhssassi recently attended the Southern Construction and Property Breakfast Club to meet leaders in the industry to promote the message.
“From our point of view, the incentive to upskill our engineering team is very strong and we are impressed with the syllabus, course content and the high standard of the lecturers we have met at the University,” said Steve Hollick.
Any company requiring more information on Degree Apprenticeships can contact omar.lakhssassi@port.ac.uk