Graduate milestone is reached on SEE School degree apprenticeship

For the last five years The University of Salford, in collaboration with Siemens, has been running the BEng in Control and Automation program. And as part of the winter graduation celebrations the latest group of students received their degrees, taking the total to complete the course to 103.

As students on the course carry on working in their careers while studying it is a great way for professionals already working in the industry to have a ‘top up’ of existing knowledge and qualifications to earn a degree on a program that minimises their time away from their role. It consists of block teaching whilst practically gaining skills at their workplace.

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates achieve a BEng (Hons) Control and Automation.  And the course has proven very successful for students so far with 80.6% on the scheme having achieved a first-class degree.

Professor Haifa Takruri MBE, program leader of the course, said: “We have had great feedback, the students enjoy the modules and they enjoy the university experience. For many it is the first time they have had the chance to get a degree. Many are very experienced in their fields but have never had that chance to complete a degree before.

“They value it highly and are incredibly committed to their studies. It’s excellent   that many companies are using the program to invest in their employees, allowing them to build upon existing skills and learning new ones.

Dr Steve Hill started the program in 2017 and managed it until starting his retirement in  September 2022, his hard work and dedication throughout are immensely appreciated. The course was initially only for Siemens employees and apprentices but now clients from Amazon, Unilever, BAE Systems and many more sponsor their employees to complete the program as it continues to expand.

Jason Phin – Training Solutions Business Manager states: “Absolutely overjoyed at the success of this degree programme and the achievements from these participants who have put in the hard yards to achieve their results.   Both ourselves and our customers have seen the benefit that these participants bring to our businesses from the combination of industry-relevant competence training and academic study. To see this programme being used within both a degree apprenticeship and CPD upgrade to existing qualifications shows the advantages in bringing industry and academia together to collaborate in the delivery of these programmes.”