Colleagues across Council services have the opportunity to study for a degree while carrying on working in their current role.
Graduate apprenticeships for the new semester are available through the University of the West of Scotland (UWS).
The university offers fully-funded and flexible courses, starting in September, including:
- A BSC (Hons) in IT: Software Development
- BEng (Hons) in Engineering, Design, and Manufacture
- BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering
- BA in Early Learning and Childcare
- A BA (Hons) in Business and Project Management and
- A BA (Hons) in Business Management.
GAs were launched in 2017, offer work-based routes to achieve a degree-level qualification, and are funded by the Scottish Funding Council.
They offer a great opportunity to combine your working life with studying, so you can learn while you earn. Benefits include learning new skills and improving your career opportunities.
Laura Neill, Senior Manager for Employability & Skills, said: “The development of our employees is key to ensuring that we have a highly skilled and motivated workforce.“
“It is essential to ensure the delivery of an effective, quality service and the achievement of our strategic priorities.
“It can be challenging to find opportunities to nurture potential and talent within our teams to develop our future managers and invest in skill development. Graduate Apprenticeships (GAs) can support training for existing employees, providing a work-based learning opportunity to achieve a degree.”
UWS is hosting information sessions on August 7 and August 21 on Teams – if you would like to join, email: employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
The team at UWS, which has campuses in Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire, and Paisley, offers support, including helping employees upskill and providing additional support for learning ahead of the course starting, e.g., in maths.
Laura added: “Attendance at university depends on the qualification, but one day per week of protected time to complete the qualification and work-based projects is recommended.
“With flexible entry points for more experienced employees looking for a top-up degree qualification or for those starting at the beginning, the GA is a great opportunity to develop existing talent.”
Julia McMurdie is a Digital Renewal Manager at the Council and was supported to complete her degree while she worked.
She has now graduated with a BA in Business Management with First Class Honors and secured a promoted post within the Regeneration team thanks to her hard work.
“I would highly recommend the Graduate Apprenticeships scheme to colleagues across all services. It offers an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, develop and manage projects that benefit both you and your department, acquire new skills, and connect with new people.
“Earning a degree also provides a significant advantage for those aspiring to advance within the Council,” said Julia.
UWS is hosting information sessions on August 7 and August 21 on Teams, and you can get the link to join by emailing employability@north-ayrshire.gov.uk
“I would highly recommend the Graduate Apprenticeships scheme to colleagues across all services. It offers an excellent opportunity to expand your knowledge, develop and manage projects that benefit both you and your department. Earning a degree also provides a significant advantage for those aspiring to advance within the Council.”
Julia McMurdie, Digital Renewal Manager