New video promotes graduate apprentice growth to meet demand

Graduate apprentices are at the heart of the shift at UHI Inverness towards work-based learning to meet current skills needs and regional economic growth.

It began offering graduate apprenticeships, work-based learning degrees, in Civil Engineering and Early Learning and Childcare in 2019, then added Business Management and Construction and the Built Environment, and introduced Engineering and Accounting for this academic year.

UHI Inverness is now one of the largest apprenticeship training providers in Scotland and has more than 1,300 graduate, modern and foundation apprentices currently in training.

The increase in graduate apprentices from 13 in 2019 to 280 this year has transformed the higher education student profile at UHI Inverness.

The number of first‑year graduate apprentices this academic year (127) exceeds that of first‑year full-time undergraduates (104). This statistic demonstrates that Graduate Apprenticeships are transforming how we learn and work in the Highlands.

To meet a priority target for continued graduate apprenticeship growth, UHI Inverness has launched a new promotional video to encourage school leavers, existing employees and employers to consider the GA route.

The film presents college, industry and learners as a vital partnership in strengthening the region’s skilled graduate workforce and features UHI Inverness staff, current graduate apprentices and local employers.

Duncan Gardner, Senior Social Impact Manager, Balfour Beatty, features in the video.

He summed up his thoughts on graduate apprenticeships by saying:

"I wish there were graduate apprentices around when I was going to university because it is absolutely the choice I would have made if I had the option."

GAs are fully-funded and tailored to meet industry needs, offering new and existing employees a recognised degree qualification, while employers attract, retain and develop a talented workforce.

For more information on Graduate Apprenticeships contact: app.ic@uhi.ac.uk or visit: Graduate apprenticeships - UHI Inverness