University of Hertfordshire celebrates National Apprenticeship Week with insightful events,

Showcasing Industry Partnerships And Degree Apprenticeships

The University of Hertfordshire celebrated National Apprenticeship Week by bringing together experts, including industry leaders, employer partners, and apprentices sharing their experiences. These insights were showcased through well-attended events aimed at both employers and prospective apprentices.

The ‘SPECtactular Apprentices with Herts’ employer event was hosted by the university’s School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, in partnership with Hertfordshire Chamber of Commerce, at the new £100 million Spectra building. It highlighted Herts’ cuttingedge facilities and provided employers with insights from industry experts in high-demand fields like data science, civil engineering, and cyber security. The event concluded with a celebration of women in STEM, featuring a panel discussion with the university’s academic team and employer partners, including Susan Murray, Head of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science; Marzia Milan, Senior Lecturer in Supply Chain and Manufacturing Management; Melissa Ling, Programme Lead for Engineering and Nicola Morris, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Stomor Ltd Civil Engineering Consultants. Over 40 current employer partners attended, along with employers looking to collaborate with Herts to diversify their workforce through apprenticeships.

‘Cutting through the complexities of degree apprenticeships,’ held in the Weston Auditorium, was aimed at parents and students exploring post-A-Level options. It focused on the differences between traditional degrees and apprenticeships, alongside the application and funding process. The event featured expert Anna Morrison, CEO of Amazing Apprenticeships, a leading organisation in the education sector based in Herts, and a Q&A session with current apprentices. Watford Football Club discussed their apprenticeship programme, working with Herts and the benefits it has brought to their organisation. The event was attended by around 400 students and parents from local schools and colleges. Interest in the event was generated by the university’s Education Liaison Team who conducted outreach activity, and the events popularity highlighted the growing appeal of degree apprenticeships and the need for more local employers to offer these opportunities.

Herts has forged strong partnerships within local industry and last year, launched a new, bespoke two-year senior leadership apprenticeship with Tesco aimed at upskilling, retaining, and developing the multinational retailers’ talent pipeline. The University is also the official higher education partner of Watford FC working closely to support their first commercial apprentice who is studying a Sports Business Management degree apprenticeship, strengthening the club’s commitment to providing alternative pathways for higher education and career development. More recently, Herts has partnered with London based netball team London Mavericks, and from September 2025 will also take on a Sports Business Management Degree Apprentice. In the longer term, they will continue to offer a similar apprenticeship place to the University each year.

NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP WEEK highlighted the need for more early career opportunities across the region and for employers to think ‘apprenticeships first’ when they look to expand or develop their workforce.

There are many benefits that apprenticeships can bring to an organisation and to find out more information on the University of Hertfordshire’s degree apprenticeship provision, please visit: go.herts.ac.uk/apprenticeship-study or contact one of the team on apprenticeships@herts.ac.uk

Celeste Jones, and Professional at Herts, said: “Degree apprenticeships are a fantastic alternative to a traditional university degree and helps to widen access to education whilst supporting the regional economy. It also helps us address the skills needs and shortages that exist within the county and plays a part in driving local economic growth.”

The University offers a variety of apprenticeships across leadership, data, engineering, medical sciences, and healthcare. Among Herts’ 250+ employer partners are multiple NHS trusts, TUI, Leonardo, Anytime Fitness, Watford Community Housing, and Airbus. Celeste Jones adds: “It is clear that we can help deliver the skills that employers need by carefully matching our courses to their needs and developing a programme that produces professionally equipped people with skills for life. What employers across the UK need is a vocationfocused, industry-savvy partner that understands how to translate their needs into a recognised degree-level programme that produces a rounded employee with the right blend of skills and attitude to succeed. Herts is the right place to start having that conversation.”