Welsh Firms’ Digital Degree Apprentices Start Their Studies At Wrexham Glyndwr University

The first cohort of Degree Apprentices to study at Wrexham Glyndwr University have begun their studies at the institution’s Plas Coch campus.

The Digital Degree Apprentices were welcomed to Glyndwr to begin their studies at the university, as part of a new Welsh Government and HEFCW pilot programme aimed at meeting the skills needs in industry across Wales.

Christina Blakey, Glyndwr’s Lead for Apprenticeships and Business Development Manager, said: “We are pleased to welcome our first group of Digital Degree Apprentices to the University – studying Cyber Security and Software Engineering.

“These students and their employers are the first in the region to seize this new opportunity, which helps companies gain support to invest in their staff and develop the digital skills and knowledge they need to future proof their organisations.

“This group of apprentices, supported by their employers, are a wonderful addition to the University and we have every confidence in their continued success.”

Among the companies taking part is Kingspan, a global organisation with an insulated panels division based in Holywell in Flintshire.

Chris Jones, Kingspan Information Security and IT Operations Manager, said: “Working in partnership with Wrexham Glyndwr university has opened doors for our

employees, and has allowed them to gain access to further education.

“The staff at Glyndwr are both professional and helpful, and have assisted us with education opportunities which we were previously unaware of.”

A series of other Welsh businesses are also taking part in the university-run scheme –

which is fully funded by the Welsh Government, with all students’ fees paid for.

Degree apprentices work throughout their degree, spending part of their time at university and the rest with their employer, developing the skills and knowledge needed to excel, both in university and in their work role. Each cohort of apprentices work in key sectors for economic growth identified by the Welsh Government.

Following the start of the first programme, work is now underway at Glyndwr to secure funding for the next intake of Digital Degree Apprentices – and the next stage of the pilot programme for Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.

For more information contact the Enterprise team  via email on enterprise@glyndwr.ac.uk