Leading the way with our Trailblazer Apprenticeship Programmes
Posted on: 18 March, 2016
This week is National Apprenticeship Week, and what better a time to release our biggest apprenticeship news to date. On Wednesday 16 March we announced our collaboration with Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) to develop and deliver our Trailblazer Apprenticeship programmes. The programmes are designed to develop the next generation of qualified surveyors, and offer pathways to Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and Real Estate Management.
What does this partnership mean?
CSTT is an educational charity that aims to provide opportunities for young people aged between 16 and 24 to become qualified surveyors. By joining forces with CSTT, we are able to deliver fully funded programmes to budding surveyors, regardless of their academic, social or financial circumstances.
Commenting on our partnership, Chairman of CSTT Richard Carter said, “UCEM shares a very similar outlook to us – nurturing today’s younger generation and delivering talent to the Built Environment – and I look forward to collaborating with them to provide even more young people with life-changing opportunities”.
What are the new programmes?
Fully mapped to the UK Government’s Trailblazer Apprenticeship Standards, the new programmes operate on two levels: Surveying Technician, and Chartered Surveyor apprenticeships. Both programmes offer the three pathway options of Quantity Surveying, Building Surveying and Real Estate Management. Students on the Surveying Technician programme will work towards a Level 3 Diploma in Surveying, which will then make them eligible for AssocRICS assessment.
The Chartered Surveyor apprenticeship includes an RICS accredited BSc (Hons) degree, and allows students to undertake the RICS Assessment of Professional Competence (APC). If students pass the APC, they will receive the ‘gold standard’ of property professionalism – chartered MRICS status.
As a young person, why should I consider an apprenticeship?
After finishing an apprenticeship, 90 per cent of apprentices remain in employment, with 71 per cent staying with the same employer. Gaining real world experience whilst working towards a well-recognised qualification can give you the edge in the job market, and give you a head start when it comes to practising as a professional.
You are also able to earn whilst you learn, and build up a wide network of valuable contacts from both your work and through your institution.
As a business, why should I take on an apprentice?
There’s never been a better time to take on an apprentice, particularly after the most recent announcements on the Apprenticeship Levy (more below). With a clear focus on apprenticeships from the UK government, businesses should be asking themselves why they shouldn’t take on an apprentice. Here are just a few of the benefits:
- Training apprentices is more cost-effective than hiring skilled staff
- There are financial incentives available from the government to support employers that take on apprentices
- Apprentices can be tailored to specific job roles, depending on the needs of the business
- Retention rates are higher with apprentices
- Companies that take on apprentices are looked on more favourably
- 70 per cent of employers report that apprenticeships improved the quality of their product or service.
The Apprenticeship Levy
As announced originally in the Autumn Statement 2015, the UK government will introduce a levy in April 2017 to fund apprenticeships. The levy will apply to all UK employers in both the private and public sectors with a gross annual pay bill over £3 million. In the 2016 Budget, it was announced that as of April 2016, employers will receive a 10 per cent top up to their monthly levy contributions in England. Many more changes of this nature seem to be on the horizon including the government looking to extend the number of degree apprenticeships. What’s clear to see is that apprenticeships are now firmly on the radar.
Find out more
To find out more on our new apprenticeship offerings, take a look at our dedicated web page. You can speak to someone about our apprenticeship programmes and what’s involved in employing an apprentice by contacting Meryl Bonser or Martin Cawley. To get a taster for how our apprenticeship programmes have helped others realise their potential in the Built Environment, take a look at some of our student case studies on our blog page.
