How targeted government funding helped University College Birmingham equip students with critical industry skills

As mayor Richard Parker calls for more West Midlands companies to take advantage of a scheme to fund more apprenticeships, Rosa Wells, University College Birmingham Dean for STEM and FE Principal, explains how University College Birmingham used a pot of money allocated by the Office of Students (OfS), to grow their portfolio of critical skills qualifications and boost social mobility.

The 2023-24 financial year saw £16m of targeted funding allocated by the Secretary of State for Education to the OfS to support its strategic priorities. Identifying the need to grow Level 4 and Level 5 provision, with Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) being deemed “flagship courses”.

Already boasting students working towards various levels of HTQ, we were one of a number of institutions that benefitted from the funding.

As both a further education college and a university, we were in a unique position as to create clear, accessible progression pathways in priority sectors. Collaborating with employers has a huge impact on our ability to meet skills demands for the region and boost employment prospects for graduates.

Through ongoing employer engagement, ‘sprint’ events and industry advisory boards, the University identified a significant shortage of skilled professionals in the engineering, construction and health sectors across the West Midlands and beyond.

Working in collaboration with industry partners to identify and address the critical skills gaps, the Higher National Certificate in engineering and sustainable construction programmes within building services engineering, and the foundation degree nursing associate course were given priority.

Further tailoring of the courses sought to align with employer expectations and future workforce needs by embedding elements such as emerging technologies, e.g. digital engineering, sustainability and green technologies (in construction), and practical placement experiences (in healthcare).

As a leading provider of further and higher education, we have a responsibility to ensure our students are equipped with the right skills and the confidence to use them in the real world.

University College Birmingham is committed to social inclusion and widening participation in education. We recognise that prospective students from under-represented backgrounds often face barriers to accessing higher-level qualifications and meaningful career progression, so we worked to offer courses that empower students to achieve their career aspirations, while addressing regional and national workforce shortages.

Being first in family to attend university, juggling caring responsibilities around work and study commitments, and the prospect of student debt, are just some of the concerns that prospective students face. To address these challenges, the University took decisive steps to make the courses more accessible:

• flexible learning options, including part-time study routes
• wide-ranging support services such as the Kick-Start scheme (up to £800 of financial support a year), the Centre for Academic Skills and English, and the health and wellbeing team
• clear pathways from our further education college, with support in re-taking maths or English GCSE where this is required for progression.

Employers know that University College Birmingham graduates are equipped with industry-aligned skills. The brightest minds with the most innovative and entrepreneurial ideas now require less onboarding time. This improves productivity for employers and means graduates don’t have to wait to make their mark in a career they’ve aspired to and worked hard for.

Looking ahead, the University is committed to sustaining the legacy of the initial funding. 

There are plans are to continue expanding the Level 4 and 5 offer, in response to evolving regional needs in health technologies, green construction and advanced manufacturing.

This could include new short courses and modular options for upskilling. Many of the programmes have now been embedded into the University’s long-term academic strategy, with employer co-funding and apprenticeships helping maintain the momentum even if central funding ends.

By creating pathways that blend academic rigor with practical application, the University is not only transforming individual lives, but also contributing to a more skilled, inclusive workforce. This approach underscores the University’s commitment to driving regional economic growth and fostering equity in education.

University College Birmingham has a dedicated apprenticeship team ready to help you tap into new talent and enhance the skills of your current workforce.

We can offer meaningful advice, support with navigating the process and understanding the benefits to your organisation.

Find out more or email us at: apprenticeships@ucb.ac.uk

Pictured: Rosa Wells with deputy mayor Sharon Thompson