Northumbrian Water Group is creating ten ‘earn as you learn’ higher degree apprenticeships for young people looking to establish a career in the information technology sector.
The ten learners will split their time between working and learning on the job with Northumbrian Water and academic studies, working towards a BSc (Hons) Digital and Technology Solutions degree, delivered in partnership with the University of Sunderland.
The apprentices will be working on industry-leading technology to create and modify screens and reports for more than 600 users within Northumbrian Water and mobile applications for employees and customers.
Higher degree apprenticeships are paid for jointly between government and the employer, ensuring the learner gets paid to undertake academic studies, as well as the vocational learning, throughout the course.
The degree, which starts in September, is suited to students who are currently completing A-Levels such as business studies, economics, maths, ICT or any of the sciences.
Open evenings are being organised for students to find out more, at Northumbrian Water’s Boldon House, in Pity Me, on Tuesday, May 31 and Wednesday, June 1, from 6pm. More details are available by e-mailing degree.apprenticeships@nwl.co.
Northumbrian Water programme director Nigel Watson said: “Higher degree apprenticeships give students the best of both worlds, allowing them to learn and earn at the same time.
“The course is not only a solid entry into the workplace, but the on-the-job experience gained is invaluable for students, adding a distinguishing feature to their CV, whilst also developing the personal skills necessary to be a success in full-time employment.”
Professor Alastair Irons, of the University of Sunderland, said: “The University of Sunderland is delighted to be entering into this partnership with Northumbrian Water for the higher degree apprenticeship scheme. We have been running the scheme with other partners for a year now and the feedback from students has been excellent. The opportunity with NWL will give the students an excellent chance to build on this formal learning in a leading-edge environment. The students will definitely be learning skills for the jobs of tomorrow.”