High standard of apprenticeships lead to success for University of Sheffield students

10th February 2025

Apprenticeships are pivotal in helping to close the national skills gap in healthcare and advanced manufacturing industries, offering an accessible pathway to rewarding careers.

Apprenticeships are pivotal in helping to close the national skills gap in healthcare and advanced manufacturing industries, offering an accessible pathway to rewarding careers.

To highlight the value of apprenticeships, the University of Sheffield is celebrating the success of its apprentices during National Apprenticeship Week (10-16 February 2025).

Sheffield’s apprenticeship scheme was established in 2012, and since then has helped more than 3,400 people start apprenticeships across its School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery, and at the AMRC Training Centre.

The University’s commitment to developing excellent apprenticeship provision led to it being one of only two UK universities to be awarded an Expert Apprenticeship Provider status by the Department of Education (DfE) in 2023. The status highlights Sheffield’s experience in working in partnership with industry to improve apprenticeship provision nationally.

Sambit Sen, Director of Apprenticeships at the University of Sheffield, said: “Our provider status is a mark of excellence highlighting Sheffield’s commitment to providing apprenticeships in health and advanced manufacturing that meet the career aspirations of both individuals and industry.

“For people considering their next step in life, apprenticeships are an accessible way to learn new skills while also earning money, putting them on a path to a rewarding and successful career. We are also determined to make education accessible to all, with a quarter of our apprentices coming from disadvantaged backgrounds and our work in this area continuing.

“For employers, apprenticeships help develop a workforce with a future-ready skill set, making significant gains in industries working towards closing the skills gap in South Yorkshire and across the UK."

The quality of the apprenticeships on offer at Sheffield was also endorsed by the University’s most recent Ofsted report, which praised the University’s close links with industry and noted that apprentices displayed outstanding behaviour and attitudes.

Over 1000 apprentices are currently learning at the University across a variety of healthcare and manufacturing disciplines including; ophthalmology, nursing, speech and language therapy, as well as machining, mechatronics, composites and welding and fabrication.

Maria Shemmans, 58, decided to apply for an apprenticeship in Speech and Language Therapy to further develop her career, whilst still working and having an income.

A photo of Maria Shemmens, University of Sheffield apprentice. She is standing at a rocky UK coastline on a sunny day looking straight at the camera.
Maria Shemmans
She said: “Since starting the apprenticeship, I have begun to use some of the information I have studied to broaden my skills in the workplace. I have recently moved to a team in a different area within my service which will allow me to build on the skills I have, giving me exposure to other speech and language therapy responsibilities.

“I feel the biggest benefit is that you can apply what you have learned in the workplace, whilst you are benefiting from the experience of qualified speech and language therapists that you work with. I feel that it also gives you a better idea of what the career will feel like once qualified.

“I now feel confident that I am capable of studying and achieving my goal of becoming a qualified speech and language therapist and am very excited by the prospect.”

The value of healthcare apprentices from the University’s School of Allied Health Professions, Nursing and Midwifery does not go unrecognised by the NHS. Apprentices make major contributions to frontline services by applying Sheffield’s latest pioneering health research to their practice and developing the leadership and problem-solving skills to practise safely and effectively.

Students of the AMRC Training Centre - part of the world-leading research and innovation cluster, the University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) - undertake engineering apprenticeships that tackle real-world manufacturing challenges and their skills are driving growth at over 400 companies across the region.

Ian Pengkerego, 36, is studying for a Mechanical Manufacturing Degree Apprenticeship. Working at a Sheffield-based forging manufacturer has allowed Ian to invest in his passion for engineering and further his career.

A photo of AMRC Training Centre apprentice Ian Pengkerego, Ian is seated and is looking off camera to the viewer's left.
Ian Pengkerego
He said: “My current role at Forged Solutions has allowed me to see the entire manufacturing process, from hot works and forging raw material input right through to finished products. This constant learning has kept me engaged throughout my career.

“After 15 years of industry experience, I enrolled for my apprenticeship at the AMRC Training Centre. I have a demanding role within the company I work for, so it was impractical for me to quit my job and pursue full-time studies again. However, this apprenticeship provided me with a unique, flexible path to earn a degree and advance my skills while continuing to work. This new challenge, which I began at the age of 33, has helped me deepen my understanding of engineering principles.

“My current apprenticeship has introduced me to new skills that complement my existing knowledge. I've leveraged these skills to contribute to my company's success. I've led several projects related to capital investment, and I'm proud to say that these projects have been very successful. And the skills I've developed through the apprenticeship have played an important role in my achievements.”

Professor Mary Vincent, Vice President for Education at the University of Sheffield, said: “We are incredibly proud to provide excellent teaching and traditional degrees, while also being forward-thinking and able to respond to the national skills gap in nursing and manufacturing through our apprenticeship provision.

“Apprenticeships are a vital part of the UK’s education system, as together with traditional degrees, they provide the range of skills that employers need now and in the future, as well as providing an accessible way for people of all backgrounds to be able to further their interests, aspirations and careers.”