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Nineteen-year-old Katie Bradbury (pictured) is Microsoft’s first degree apprentice – and she’s already discussed her ambitions with no less an authority than the Prime Minister. Katie, who hails from Reading, is in the
second year of her Aston University apprenticeship, and readily admits she was “bored” of a classroom environment but “still loved learning”. “I think the turning point was when we were forced to write
personal statements in college. I sat there, none of us knew what we were doing but everyone was just writing. At the end of the session, a teacher came up to me and asked, ‘Where’s your work?’ I tried to explain that I wasn’t interested in university and was exploring other options… I was given a detention.” Instead of writing her personal statement, she spent her detention
researching alternatives to university. “I searched for apprenticeships online and found two I wanted to apply for, Microsoft and another company that took my fancy. I prepared draft applications for both.” At the end of detention, when the teacher asked to read her
personal statement, Katie stood her ground. “I was pretty nervous, but I shared my research about these new
kinds of apprenticeships. My tutor didn’t look too put out. From that moment on I felt a lot happier about the way I was heading. “The beauty of a degree apprenticeship is that you can immediately
apply what you learn to what you do. Doing a degree apprenticeship at Microsoft gives me three years’ experience already working in a global corporation as well as a degree and Chartered Manager status. This gives puts me in a great position for my career development. “Apprenticeships aren’t just about making tea and coffee. You’re
given a real job with real responsibility right from the outset. I was lucky enough to meet the Prime Minister earlier this year to talk about apprenticeships and STEM subjects. “My future aspirations are to stay here at Microsoft, to build my
career development and to become a role model for other young women wanting to get into the technology sector.”
from state schools. We are not Oxbridge, we are not elitist at all.” Mark Smith, executive director of
business engagement, adds: “We are better than that in some areas… .we were already doing this work when the Government picked up on this. We have had approaches from one of the largest recruitment agencies in the UK, one of the Big Four banks and a large social media organisation. It is good fun because you are meeting an industry need.” Professor Higson said: “If you
recruit somebody, it is much better to recruit someone who can learn and pick up skills. I always recruit on attitude – you have got to learn how to add value to a company and to grow.” Aston currently boasts 322
apprentices across three degree apprenticeship programmes, including Digital and Technology Solutions, Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships and Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development. The university was the first and
only campus to produce degree apprentice alumni who graduated in July 2017. Of the 11 Digital and Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship graduates in the first cohort, 64 per cent achieved a first-class degree.
Businesses strive to recruit applicants who can demonstrate good leadership and possess skills in organisation, communication, problemsolving, teamwork, as well as demonstrating a strong work ethic. Did you know that service leavers and
Reservists have these key personal attributes, and more? Members of the Armed Forces are also
trained in a variety of diverse trades including engineers, electricians, drivers, chefs, HR specialists, communications operatives, and medics, which can help add value to your workforce. West Midland Reserve Forces and Cadets
Association build and maintain relationships with employers in the region by creating strategic partnerships, by promoting the skills that service leavers and Reservists can bring to your business. Employers are encouraged to cement this
partnership via the Armed Forces Covenant: a voluntary pledge which builds a twoway relationship between business and defence.
Meanwhile, Aston is due to
launch Executive MBA Apprenticeships (set for March 2018) and Healthcare Science Practitioner: Audiology Degree Apprenticeship (from September 2018). Also in the pipeline, subject to
full approval, are Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist (Level 7), Logistics and Supply Chain (Level 6), Nuclear Engineer/Scientist (Level 6), Power Engineering (Level 6), Rail (Level 6) and Academic Professional (Level 7). Multi-national IT consultants
Capgemini became the first organisation to have Aston degree apprenticeship graduates last year, while the campus has become the university of choice for a range of organisations from Microsoft, Virgin Media and Payara to a growing number of SMEs. Professor Higson said: “We say
to students – we will change your life without you paying off debts because the employer will pay for your education. It is quite difficult for employers to find the right people for roles – we tailor it to make sure that student needs fit the business needs.”
Businesses can find out more at
www.aston.ac.uk/apprenticeships and
apprenticeships@aston.ac.uk
Partnering with Defence
If you are a business operating within the West Midlands and would like to see how supporting the Armed Forces can benefit your organisation, please contact our engagement team on wm
reed@rfca.mod.uk or call 0121 427 5221 ext. *242
March 2018 CHAMBERLINK 21
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