Degree apprentices from British Army to be put through their study paces

Staffordshire University has welcomed a new cohort of British Army degree apprentices committed to progressing their careers by enrolling in the Chartered Management Degree Apprenticeship (CDMA) programme.

The CMDA is designed in collaboration with the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and regional and national employers, to provide the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to become a confident management professional.

The three-year course is undertaken by employees with significant management responsibility or those who want to take a step up into management. After securing the Army CMDA contract last year, Staffordshire University looks forward to welcoming 35 new learners three times a year for at least the next three years.

Katy Chesters, Apprenticeship Business Development Manager at Staffordshire University, said: “This course has a residential element, but will also be studied by distance learning  from wherever in the world Army personnel are based. This is the first Apprenticeship we have offered that is specific for them – as learners on this cohort are only from the Army, both Regular Senior Non-Commissioned Officers (SNCO) and Army Civil Servants.”

“On successful completion of the apprenticeship, the learners will be eligible to graduate with a BA (Hons) in Professional Management which is an excellent qualification for both personal and career development .”

The British Army secured the prestigious top slot on the Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers 2022 list.  This formal recognition reflects all the hard work done over the last year by the Army’s Apprenticeship team which includes Staffordshire University, as one of the Army’s highly valued Training Providers.

The Army’s partnership with Staffordshire University to deliver the CMDA programme highlights that the Army is committed to continue to deliver a strong and resilient Apprenticeship programme, that seeks to further upskill it’s SNCO cadre and supports the Army’s goal that a soldier “joins well, serves well and leaves well, achieving nationally recognised qualifications during their Service.”

Earlier this year Staffordshire University welcomed the outcome of a ‘good’ Ofsted inspection, reflecting the quality of its provision to 2,600 apprentices from more than 200 employers including four Midlands Police Forces, the NHS, BT, Merlin Entertainments and Bentley Motors.

Associate Dean of Apprenticeships Maighread Hegarty said: “The Ofsted report recognised our work with employers to shape the curriculum and address skills gaps. We take immense pride in the fact that we are trailblazers for a number of apprenticeships and the Ofsted inspectors found that most apprentices are very positive about their study experience and feel proud of their successes.”

“The University is on course to achieving its target of developing 6,500 apprentices by 2026 and earlier this year we opened The Catalyst building on our Leek Road site which is a new hub for employer partners and apprentices.”

Over the coming years Staffordshire University and the British Army look forward to a highly successful partnership, working closely to educate and empower individuals, changing lives, while strengthening core Army leadership and management skills.

Maria Scrivens

Communications Manager

t: 01782 294375

m: 07766 520339

e: m.c.scrivens@staffs.ac.uk

Staffordshire University is a Civic University which plays a leading role in improving the regional economy and enhancing quality of life in local communities. We pride ourselves on being connected to the needs of students, academic partners, business and society.

We ranked 6th for social inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and were in the top 15 for Student Satisfaction in the Complete University Guide 2022.

Our main city campus in Stoke-on-Trent features excellent learning and teaching facilities and good transport links. We have a Centre for Health Innovation in Stafford and our Staffordshire University London campus is committed to preparing students for careers in new and emerging tech industries.