Brand new Degree Apprentice Centre set to open in September

A new WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre at the University of Warwick, designed to equip young engineers with the high-level skills that businesses will need in the future, is on schedule to open in September 2019.

Construction of the centre is well under way having been awarded £10million funding from the Government’s Local Growth Fund through the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP). The steel frames for the centre are now in place in the first phase of creating the complex.

The centre will provide apprentices with the opportunity to study degree courses to develop the skills needed by advanced engineering and manufacturing companies. It will run training programmes up to Master’s Degree level initially for 1,000 students, who will complete their studies at the university campus in conjunction with their employment at companies throughout Coventry and Warwickshire.

The centre will feature flexible teaching and lab space, and an environment for technology-enhanced learning as well as provide advice and support to apprentices and organisations.

The Warwick Manufacturing Group Degree Apprenticeship Centre is the first stage of a future Degree Apprenticeship complex at the campus.

Professor Lord Bhattacharyya, chairman of WMG, said: “The WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre will provide the opportunity for apprentices to study whilst supporting our manufacturing base by learning the skills necessary for the UK to stay competitive.”

Jonathan Browning, chair of the CWLEP, said: “It is great to see the WMG Degree Apprenticeship Centre taking shape since this will be a valuable resource to train students with the skills which employers need to drive their businesses forward.

“The Local Growth Fund was established by the Government to give LEPs the opportunity to fund projects which will boost the economy, support businesses and create jobs. It is vital that we equip apprentices with high-level skills and this centre will bring huge benefits to the advanced engineering and manufacturing sector in the area.”