Special feature: UHI Inverness achieves exceptional apprenticeship growth to meet future economic demands
UHI Inverness has achieved an unrivalled increase in apprenticeship enrolments as a result of its strategic shift towards work-based learning to meet current skills needs and expected unprecedented regional economic growth.
UHI Inverness is now the largest provider of apprenticeships within the UHI partnership and the region, with more than 750 Modern Apprentices and around 200 Graduate Apprentices currently in training. The Modern Apprenticeship figure has grown from 206 in 2014/15 and its Graduate Apprenticeships have risen from a starting figure of 13 in 2019/20.
It is also currently training a further 300 plus plumbing and electrical apprentices on behalf of other training providers.
Principal Professor Chris O’Neil welcomes the economic development opportunities locally, including Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport, as the dawning of a new industrial revolution. As a result, his priority is to further develop the curriculum and campus estate as part of ambitions to position UHI Inverness as the leading provider of workforce skills in the region.
He is supported by the new chair of its Board of Management, business leader Victoria Erasmus, who took up her new position in January with a vision for further collaboration between education and business to provide meaningful employment opportunities for Highlanders. Her appointment comes during a time of change; the University of the Highlands and Islands, of which UHI Inverness is an independent academic partner, has embarked on a process to shape its future long-term structure.
They are both determined that whatever the future form of the partnership, it should recognise, value and reinforce the strengths of UHI Inverness and its strategic aspirations to play a vital role in supporting businesses and economic growth. Victoria said:
“By collaborating closely with industry partners, UHI Inverness has designed learning pathways that not only meet the immediate and adapting needs of employers but also support individuals throughout their working lives. This agility allows us to stay ahead of industry demands, particularly as we respond to the needs of inward investors and the growing sectors in our region. We are leading the way in creating learning solutions that respond to the emerging needs of industry. This ensures that we remain at the forefront of skills provision as the Highlands emerge as the epicentre of green energy technology and infrastructure.
"As a businessperson, I understand the importance of developing strong relationships between UHI Inverness, local businesses and our communities. By protecting and promoting our shared values of care and kindness, we can build the best workforce, enrich our communities, and foster considerate, compassionate individuals. Ensuring that our students receive the best experience and opportunities to thrive.”
The need to enhance traditional academic models with flexible work-based pathways to meet future skills demand has been recognised by industry and sector leaders. A recent Scottish Engineering report called for action on apprenticeship funding to help address the skills gap to ensure that Scotland does not lose out on an “industrial revolution-sized opportunity”.
Working directly with various partners including Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Highland Council and the green freeport, UHI Inverness has the capability and ambition to increase skills capacity and training in line with recruitment plans for the renewables industry.
To meet current and future apprenticeship demand and expand its construction curriculum, UHI Inverness has secured premises for a new Sustainable Construction Centre and has received funding from SSEN Transmission’s Regional Community Benefit Fund towards the project. There are also early plans in development for an engineering training centre.
A new Renewable Energy Training Hub opened on campus in November in partnership with industry, offering training in the latest heat pump technology. Campus renovations are also ongoing to create a technology centre to accommodate an expansion of engineering courses and apprenticeships, and work with key partners is underway to further expand Civil Engineering and Construction and the Built Environment apprenticeships.
UHI Inverness is working with Highland Council and other stakeholders to develop a strategy for sustainable construction and retrofit training to support the Highland Housing Challenge. It has also collaborated with CECA Scotland Academy and civil engineering employers to introduce a short full-time programme to address a skills shortage in civil engineering operatives that matches students with recruiting employers. UHI Inverness also delivers industry-sponsored courses such as HNC Electrical Engineering for SSE.
However, this focus on expansion and collaboration also coincides with financial challenges in the college sector and there are threats to growth plans, with restrictions to government funding limiting growth in further education places and modern apprenticeships. Professor Chris O’Neil said:
“We are very proud of our achievements to date and know that our board will support us to further success and growth by guiding, lobbying and holding us and the sector to account. We are growing as a result of our investment budget, supported by innovative and judicious use of our finances, and we need to protect our capacity and ability to do that. However, I am concerned that the funding challenges which the college sector faces will constrain our ability to continue to invest and innovate.
“We need investment; education, training and apprenticeships are expensive but if we fail, it will cost Scotland a lot more. There is no more money, so institutional and sector reform must address inefficiency, build effectiveness and demonstrate that we are targeting the maximum available resource at our students and responding directly to the needs of our communities and businesses.”
The expansion of the UHI Inverness apprenticeship training programme began in 2016 with the forming of its Business Solutions team. It works with hundreds of employers, helping them to identify and fill skills gaps through programmes including apprenticeships.
UHI Inverness began offering Graduate Apprenticeships in Civil Engineering and Early Learning and Childcare in 2019/20 and has since added Business Management and Construction and the Built Environment. It has a target of 300 Graduate Apprenticeships for the next academic year, when it will introduce new Graduate Apprenticeships in Engineering and Accounting. Professor O’Neil said:
“Our proactive approach is not only enhancing the employability of our graduates, but also addressing the workforce needs of cutting-edge developments, including the establishment of a freeport and the Port of Ardersier. We have built upon our experience of delivering Foundation and Modern Apprenticeships to create Graduate Apprenticeships, many of which offer progression to master’s degree level. By fostering strong partnerships with local businesses and industries, the college is creating a dynamic learning environment that benefits both students and employers, and we have the potential to do even better.”
Audrey MacIver, area manager for HIE’s Inner Moray Firth team, said:
“Collaboration between industry, education providers and economic development agencies is key to building a skilled workforce that meets the rapidly evolving needs of our region. The significant increase in apprenticeship enrolments at UHI Inverness demonstrates the impact of a focus on work-based learning, ensuring businesses have access to the talent they need to thrive and that our people and communities are well placed to benefit from the unprecedented growth expected from renewables and the transition to net zero. We are committed to working with partners to support sustainable economic growth and we welcome this expansion in skills development as a crucial step in strengthening our regional economy.”
The management of the Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport considers the Highlands to be on the cusp of being a world leader in the floating offshore renewable industry, and there is a need to establish investor confidence in the region’s ability to build a workforce fit for the future. Alli Vass, Powerhouse Manager of Inverness and Cromarty Green Freeport, said:
“Being a tertiary institution, UHI and its academic partner UHI Inverness, offers a flexible approach to learning, focussing on the needs of business and learners to ensure students have the skills required to be successful in the workplace. By offering a vast array of qualifications, its teams are focussing on the needs of industry and the increase in apprenticeships across a wide demographic is testament to this engagement, as is the ongoing development of bespoke industry focussed short courses. UHI Inverness is creating options for our local workforce to exceed their career aspirations.”
Convener of The Highland Council, Councillor Bill Lobban, said:
“I would like to congratulate everyone involved in this achievement, especially all the young people who have completed their training, learnt new skills and are now thriving in their careers. It’s a great example of how a successful partnership approach can achieve so much. I believe that the Highland region is really coming into its own and is attracting investment interest from all over the world, providing the potential to transform the Highlands, bringing jobs, economic regeneration, and prosperity for many years to come. To fully capture these benefits, we need a young workforce with the necessary skills. UHI Inverness is providing a vital programme that plays a key role in contributing opportunities and growth for the Highland workforce and economy. I am sure it will continue to thrive and as a council we look forward to continuing to support all opportunities that benefit our communities, showcasing the world-class opportunities which exist throughout our area and our ambition for the future.”
Mike Campbell of RSE and some UHI Inverness Fabrication and Welding SVQ2 students
In recent months a series of engineering employers have been invited to the UHI Inverness campus to showcase their businesses and recruit apprentices from the student population.
RSE is one of the largest apprenticeship employers in the area and its Apprentice Training Officer, Mike Campbell, was one of those who gave an employer engagement talk. He said:
“RSE offers apprenticeships for people at all levels and provides training in a broad set of technical skills, supported by our experienced workforce and industry professionals. Our modern and graduate apprenticeships are a gateway to launching a successful career in the water industry and our collaboration with UHI Inverness is invaluable in ensuring that our team is able to liaise with students directly about our apprenticeship opportunities and the potential career paths to embark on. In doing so we are able to offer career advice, answer any questions the students may have and develop a relationship with our apprentices from the very outset.”
Steven McIntosh, Senior Engineering Manager of LifeScan Inc, also took part in the employer engagement series. He said:
“Our Engineering Apprentice programme continues to be a critical part of our talent pipeline and has delivered exceptional talent for the business. We offer a programme which supports the academic aspirations of our apprentices and provides key hands-on skills across a variety of disciplines. It really is an excellent way to start a rewarding career in engineering. Since the programme launched in 2007, we have collaborated with UHI Inverness to evolve the learning experience the students receive. This strong partnership has helped ensure each student gets the support they need to succeed.”
Another employer who visited the campus as part of the series is Andrew Macdonald of Boiler and Valve Engineering. He said:
“We have a long-standing relationship with UHI Inverness, they have always supported us. We have two qualified engineers, three in training, and one due to start next year. It is my belief that companies should offer a route from apprenticeships to a degree qualification. That way you give the individual a path to learn and gain knowledge while getting paid. This is my mission for the future so having the chance to speak with students currently on full time courses was a valuable opportunity.”