Staffordshire University has announced plans to open an “apprenticeship hub” in a bid to train thousands of digital apprentices.
The university intends to establish a £17 million hub in the West Midlands in 2020 to deliver more than 6,500 apprenticeships over the next decade. The hub will aim to equip learners with key digital skills sought by employers across the UK, and will be supported by Microsoft through equipment and specialist expertise.
30,000 digital apprentices
The American tech giant launched its UK digital skills programme last year and has pledged to recruit an extra 30,000 digital apprentices for its 25,000-strong partner network. This, the company says, will help to maintain Britain’s leading position in cloud computing and artificial intelligence.
Apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton said she was “thrilled about this ambitious project, and the work Staffordshire University, local businesses, councils and employers are doing to provide real opportunities for more and better higher-level apprenticeships”.
“The hub would make sure businesses and individuals have the technical skills they need to get on - and that everyone is able to pursue the jobs or careers that are right for them.”
Want to keep up with the latest education news and opinion? Follow Tes FE News on Twitter, like us on Facebook and follow us on LinkedIn
