Sheffield Hallam supports National Apprenticeship Week

13th March 2017

A Sheffield Hallam University graduate whose engineering apprenticeship landed her a dream job at JCB has urged those considering an apprenticeship to 'go for it 100 per cent'.

Holly Broadhurst graduated from Sheffield Hallam last summer after completing a mechanical engineering top up degree following a higher apprenticeship at the JCB Academy. Holly, 22, now a full time design engineer at JCB, has offered her top three reasons to become an apprentice as part of National Apprenticeship Week 2017 (NAW) which runs from today (Monday 6 March). Holly, who was named Higher or Degree Apprentice of the Year at a national award ceremony last month, said: "I've learned and gained so much more than I ever thought possible through my apprenticeship with JCB. Completing the higher apprenticeship allowed me to study the degree I wanted while at the same time gaining real world experience. "For me, I got to understand more than just the practical side while within the company. You get to know their business ethos and to understand what it means to be part of a large company. "I would advise anyone considering an apprenticeship to go for it 100 per cent. It may seem nerve-wracking to go straight into a job but it is so worth it in the long run." NAW 2017 brings together employers, education providers and apprentices to celebrate the positive impact apprenticeships and traineeships have on individuals, businesses and the economy. Sheffield Hallam University started offering higher and degree apprenticeships in September 2015 and recently received government funding to extend the number of degree apprenticeships it offers into a number of different sectors including digital, health and engineering. The University aims to create 1,200 degree apprenticeships over the next three years and is currently involved in a number of Trailblazer groups to set national apprenticeship standards in a number of sectors including financial services, physiotherapy and occupational therapy. Conor Moss, Director of Education and Employer Partnerships, said: "Higher and degree apprenticeships are a great new way to attract, develop and retain the best talent. We are delighted to be pioneering them at Sheffield Hallam, giving regional and national employers the chance to take their staff development to the next level. "We're keen to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2017 and highlight the fantastic opportunities Hallam has to offer to businesses and anyone considering an alternative route through higher education." The University has made a video with Holly to celebrate NAW 2017 with advice for those considering an apprenticeship. Watch the video here. Sheffield Hallam is hosting a higher and degree apprenticeships event on March 14 for organisations that will start paying the Apprenticeship Levy from April. Businesses can sign up to attend here.