Funding for degree-level apprenticeships

28 March 2012

Work to develop degree-level apprenticeships in facilities management is underway. It comes after more than £1m was secured by Asset Skills from the Higher Apprenticeship Fund to support apprenticeships in FM up to levels 4, 5 and 6.

"The Higher Apprenticeship Fund will create new routes into higher levels of workplace learning in facilities management," said Sarah Bentley, Chief Executive of Asset Skills, the Sector Skills Council for FM.

Asset Skills has formed a project partnership comprising the British Institute of Facilities Management, Sheffield Hallam University, Building Engineering Services Training (BEST), Leeds College of Building, Manchester College, the Training and Learning Company and Westminster Kingsway College. This group has started consulting with facilities employers about what sort of areas higher apprenticeships should cover.

A 'mapping exercise' collating information on existing professional qualifications and learning has also started, and the content and pathways that will sit within these high-level apprenticeships are now taking shape.

"We are encouraged by the support shown for this project by the FM sector," said Bentley. "We will be holding further consultation meetings with employers and will have a project stand at the Facilities Show in May. We want to hear as many industry views as possible."