The first cohort of degree apprentices from Balfour Beatty, training to become construction quantity surveyors at Northumbria University have graduated.
Launched in January 2021, the Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship was designed in collaboration with leading international infrastructure group, Balfour Beatty, to meet the requirements of a national contractor market.
The initial cohort of apprentices graduated last week at Northumbria’s winter congregations.
Due to its success, the programme has since expanded, working with industry partners across the country, and has recently accepted over four times more apprentices than the initial cohort for 2024.
Dr Susan Dawson, Assistant Professor in Northumbria’s Department for Architecture and Built Environment said: "This industry-led degree apprenticeship program directly addresses critical national skills gaps. The growth of the programme in such a short space of time is a testament to the innovative hybrid model, designed with Balfour Beatty which incorporates structured employer participation.
“The first cohort has been overwhelmingly successful, achieving a 100% pass rate and further demonstrating the success of our cognitive apprenticeship approach. Congratulations to our 2024 graduates, we can’t wait to see what you do next."
The programme covers technical topics such as construction technology, sustainability, and contracts, though most of the learning is in the workplace. Professional practice modules on the course focus on behaviours in the apprenticeship standard and encourage the apprentices to reflect on the degree apprenticeship as a whole.
Tammy Nolan, a Balfour Beatty degree apprentice based in Warrington said: “Coming in as a mature student having left school in 1996, the structure and flexibility of the programme was ideal for me. I was able to continue working full-time, while learning and still being able to look after my home. The transition back into education worked really well for me.
“My Balfour Beatty mentors and the teaching staff at Northumbria have been excellent and supportive throughout the four years and it was lovely to have my colleagues at Balfour Beatty with me in Newcastle to see me graduate, as they’ve been with me every step of the way.”
Liam Meehan, a Balfour Beatty degree apprentice based in London added: “I’ve visited Northumbria’s city campus on a few occasions for face-to-face sessions each semester, where the apprentices were able to meet each other and socialise, but it’s been particularly exciting to be here for my graduation.
“Both Balfour Beatty and Northumbria have been great and made this such a positive experience, even during the more stressful times leading up to deadlines. I’m grateful to have received this formal recognition of all the work that has gone into completing the programme.”
The Construction Quantity Surveyor Degree Apprenticeship was curated with technology-enabled teaching in mind that extends the programme far beyond the North-East region.
Tim Howarth, Commercial Training Manager at Balfour Beatty explained how one of the great things about this programme is that apprentices from across England can participate in the same degree apprenticeship experience.
He said: “It is pleasing to have worked with the University to support the success of 17 Balfour Beatty graduates and many more to come. As a result of this progressive and novel degree apprenticeship, Balfour Beatty has developed a tight-knit community of quantity surveying apprentices from a diverse range of exciting projects and work sectors.
“It is a great example of academia and industry collaborating closely to deliver targeted personal development and growth in professional capability, competence, and academic excellence. Ongoing collaboration between Northumbria University and Balfour Beatty is a key component of this apprenticeship. Supporting and nurturing the growth and success of apprentices is critical to the future of our industry.”
Northumbria University is a leading Higher and Degree Apprenticeship training provider. Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are an alternative route to attaining a full undergraduate or postgraduate degree qualification by offering learners the best of both worlds, through combining university study with workplace learning.
Find out more about Degree Apprenticeships at Northumbria University and the Construction and Quantity Surveying programme.
