Collaborative programme for Degree Apprentices in professional practice welcomes latest learners

Posted 17 September 2024

A collaborative Degree Apprenticeship programme which allows its participants to gain a qualification while working in professional practice has enrolled it seventh intake of learners.

In the first weeks of September, the RICS-accredited BSc (Hons) Rural Enterprise and Land Management degree welcomed 53 new Degree Level Apprentices onto its programme – with participants working at 34 separate employers right across England.

The cohort is the seventh to take a place on the BSc (Hons) Chartered Surveyor (Rural) Degree Apprenticeship course, and as with previous cohorts, its students will combine their studies with the role in industry.

Course Manager Dr Mark Simcock said: “The degree apprentice students will attend the University for week blocks of tuition spread over the academic year whilst working in professional practice during the other weeks providing them with an excellent opportunity to learn whilst they earn and see how their learning is aligned to practice. 

“This represents another strong entry of apprentices onto this mode of study - illustrating not only how the apprentice route is becoming a favoured option for young people, but also that more employers are looking to invest - in order to recruit to a profession with an ever-expanding workload.”

Meanwhile, just weeks after this cohort take up their studies, the second cohort to undertake the programme five years ago are set to graduate at Harper Adams University’s 2024 Graduation this week.

Later this autumn, it is hoped some of the graduating apprentice students will be sitting their RICS Assessment of Professional Competence.

This assessment, which complements their qualification from Harper Adams, demonstrates that they have competence and professional standards required to take up full Chartered Membership of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

Dr Simcock added: “This year’s graduates will be the second to have completed their course at Harper Adams – where they have honed their knowledge and understanding over the past five years while applying their studies in professional practice.

“I’m very much looking forward to congratulating each and every one of our graduates on their success.”