UK – The apprentice programme will be available to A-level school leavers seeking an alternative to a traditional university education. To be developed by Ford and other technology employers along with leading universities, the scheme will include theoretical and practical training in digital skills.
Over the past two years, Ford has introduced its own Higher Apprenticeship programmes which are designed to encourage a new generation of engineers and other professionals to enter the automotive industry. The OEM’s Higher Apprenticeship in IT was introduced in September 2014. Delivered in partnership with the University of Greenwich, the course enables students to progress towards a Bachelor of Science (BSc Hons) degree in IT Management for Business (ITMB).
The British Government will subsidise the tuition costs and fees, while the employers involved in the scheme will provide students with the opportunity to ‘earn and learn’ through a paid apprentice role with practical training. Loughborough is another UK university which is taking part in the programme.