UWE Bristol is excited to share our success in securing Wave 2 apprenticeship funding from the Office for Students (OfS). This funding allows us to build upon the work of our Wave 1 activities around Degree Apprenticeships and our Women Like Me mentoring programme, addressing diversity and inclusion gaps in the workplace across key sectors such as engineering, digital, architecture and the built environment. The Mentoring and Outreach programme is led by Associate Professor Laura Fogg-Rogers from the School of Engineering and coordinated by Sarah Behenna from the Science Communication Unit. Links with industry will be led by Dr Samantha Organ from the School of Architecture and the Built Environment, along with Inclusive HR practices by Dr Amina Hamoud from the School of Engineering and Professor Sue Durbin from the School of Business and Law. The project will be evaluated by the whole team alongside Senior Research Fellow Dr Laura Hobbs.
An added dimension to this phase of the project is expanding to work in partnership with:
- WISE Campaign (Women into Science and Engineering), whose initiatives focus on encouraging women and girls to pursue careers in STEM through various programs, mentorship opportunities, and advocacy efforts. Partnering with WISE allows us to tap into their expertise and resources to further enhance our efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion, particularly in engineering and digital sectors.
- Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers, whose initiatives include networking events, mentorship programs, and advocacy for equal opportunities within the engineering profession. Collaborating with this association enables us to address diversity gaps and provide support tailored to BME individuals pursuing careers in engineering and related fields.
- Babbasa is a social enterprise focused on empowering young people from diverse backgrounds to pursue fulfilling careers and make positive contributions to society. Their programs include mentoring, skills development workshops, and networking opportunities aimed at bridging the gap between education and employment for underrepresented groups. Partnering with Babbasa allows us to reach a wider audience of young people and provide them with the guidance and support needed to access apprenticeship opportunities and thrive in their chosen fields.
- STEM Ambassadors are volunteers from a wide range of STEM backgrounds who engage with young people to inspire and encourage them to pursue careers in STEM subjects. They participate in activities such as school visits, workshops, and career fairs to showcase the opportunities available in STEM fields and provide guidance and inspiration to students. By collaborating with STEM Ambassadors, we can leverage their expertise and passion for STEM to inspire the next generation of apprentices and ensure a diverse and inclusive pipeline of talent into our apprenticeship programs.
- STEMazing is a community organization dedicated to promoting STEM education and careers, particularly among underrepresented groups such as women and minorities. Their initiatives include outreach events, educational resources, and mentorship programs aimed at breaking down barriers and empowering individuals to pursue STEM pathways. Partnering with STEMazing allows us to access their network and resources to support our efforts in promoting diversity and inclusion within our apprenticeship programs and beyond.
By partnering with these organizations, we can leverage their expertise, resources, and networks to enhance our apprenticeship programs and foster diversity and inclusion in engineering, construction, digital, and other key sectors.
The OfS’s £12 million investment across 51 English universities and colleges underscores the significance of expanding apprenticeship offerings. David Barrett, UWE Bristol’s Director of Apprenticeships, conveyed his excitement about this opportunity, emphasizing our commitment to advancing diversity within Engineering, Construction, and Digital professions. He noted the transformative impact of apprenticeships in addressing skills shortages and promoting equality of opportunity:
“This second wave of Apprenticeship funding from the Office for Students is a fantastic opportunity for UWE Bristol to work with partners across the region to deepen and widen our work on increasing diversity in our Degree Apprenticeships across Engineering, Construction and Digital professions. Apprenticeships are a direct route into highly skilled professions and so there is huge positive impact, both for equality of opportunity, and in meeting the growing demand for skills from employers, in ensuring that we recruit talent that reflects the diversity of the population. We look forward to working with our Partner FE Colleges, partner organisations and employers on this exciting opportunity”.
The OfS funding will be invested in the following UWE Bristol degree apprenticeship programmes:
- Aerospace Engineer
- Manufacturing Engineer
- Civil Engineer
- Construction Site Manager
- Building Services Design Engineer
- Chartered Surveyor
- Product Design and Development Engineer
- Digital and Technology Solutions Professional
- Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer
- Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer
- Cyber Security Technical Professional
Additionally, we will collaborate with regional apprenticeship providers such as Weston College, Bridgwater & Taunton College, Gloucestershire College and the City of Bristol College to further this initiative.
To find out more, please contact Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers, Associate Professor for Engineering in Society, at Laura.Foggrogers@uwe.ac.uk