UK’s first transport planning apprenticeship students graduate

The graduates of the UK’s first ever transport planning apprenticeship

Twelve students made history on Tuesday becoming the UK’s first graduates of a transport planning degree apprenticeship. 

This is the first course of its kind in the UK created in 2019 by Aston University’s Senior Lecturer Dr Lucy Rackcliff in partnership with transport planning experts. 

Some of the graduates had previously been on the level 3 apprenticeship run by Leeds College of Building.

Rackcliff, who works in Aston University’s Department of Engineering Systems and Supply Chain Management, said the courses are structured differently to traditional courses as the students spend the majority of their time in the workplace, with their degree apprenticeships designed in partnership with their employers.

The course teaches students about the economic, operational and environmental issues related to their profession. In addition, they also acquire the professional, academic and management skills necessary to succeed in any sector of the industry.

The Aston University students already have jobs with leading employers in transport planning including engineering consultancies and public sector bodies and have combined their studies with employment during the five-year course, said Rackcliff.

Fran Leonard, an assistant planner at the design, engineering, architecture, and advisory company Arup is among the graduates. She was awarded the G4C Midlands Student of the Year Award, which celebrates young achievers in construction, and the companies who support and train future leaders of the industry.

She said: “I’m really delighted to gain my degree apprenticeship. I believe that they are a great way to learn the skills to apply in the workplace. They create a unique partnership between the employer, student, and the university.”

Lucy Rackliff said: “It is vital that our country produces knowledgeable, highly qualified professionals. These degree apprenticeships offer a different way to study, and are particularly suitable for motivated, ambitious learners like these. They have worked really hard for five years, producing work of exceptional quality, and I couldn’t be more proud of them.

“This course is aimed at aspiring transport planners who are looking to learn on the job so the support of employers, professional bodies and the organisation STEM Explored should also be acknowledged.”

For further details about the course visit: https://www.aston.ac.uk/study/courses/transport-planning-degree-apprenticeship-bsc