Cardiff University and Gower College Swansea partner to upskill Wales’ engineering industry

A Welsh Government backed partnership between Cardiff University and Gower College Swansea will enable businesses and professionals to benefit from Wales’ first Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship programme.

The BEng Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship programme is designed to support businesses to recruit and continually develop their engineering teams, while enabling the latest university learning to be immediately implemented by Welsh businesses.

The fully-funded Degree Apprenticeship, which is accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) for Incorporated Engineer status, is available for both existing employees and newly recruited staff working within the engineering industry in Wales to achieve an accredited BEng Integrated Engineering degree.

Personalised remote learning provision will also reduce the need to travel to college and university, ensuring that engineers across South Wales can access opportunities to futureproof their careers, while exploring all engineering industry areas including, mechanics, project management, integrated product design, and thermodynamics.

To enrol, individuals must hold a level three qualification to be considered for the course. Successful candidates will then study towards their level four and five qualifications at Gower College Swansea, before transferring to Cardiff University to complete the final two years of the university level degree.

Dr. Phil Anderson at Cardiff University, notably crowned the top university in Wales by The Complete University Guide 2022, said: “This partnership with Gower College Swansea is pivotal in supporting our regional engineering industry to upskill and professionalise their workforces.

“The BEng Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship provides learners with the opportunity to enhance their knowledge and professionalise each key area of the engineering industry. Our integrated, flexible course delivery is key in allowing these learners and earners to immediately implement their new knowledge and understanding of engineering straight into their careers, even as they learn, allowing them to futureproof their path.”

Commenting on the launch of the new programme, Denise Thomas, Learning Area Manager for Engineering at Gower College Swansea, said: “Our partnership with Cardiff University is a direct response to the need we know exists within the Welsh engineering sector.

“This Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship is truly unique and follows years of development, founded on our experience of supporting leading Welsh businesses and professionals. Our integrated approach will blend mechanical, electrical, electronic and manufacturing engineering, to enable individuals to gain a broad knowledge base, while helping to ensure that Wales develops the talent required for multidisciplinary engineering environments.

“By combining our strengths as a UK award-winning further education provider, with those of one of the UK’s leading universities, we aim to give Wales’ engineering sector the advantage when recruiting new talent and to further develop their workforces.”

Applications to join the BEng Integrated Engineering Degree Apprenticeship programme must be made by 16th September 2021. Individuals and businesses looking to explore options to enrol should contact Denise.Thomas@gowercollegeswansea.co.uk.