Some of Kent and Medway’s largest engineering, manufacturing and construction companies are working with a countywide network of colleges and universities to bring the benefits of Higher Apprenticeships to workplaces across the county.

Higher Apprenticeships enable new employees to combine work-based experience and learning with study programmes to gain foundation degree qualifications and raise their skills base.

Representatives of Delphi Diesel Systems, E.on, Aylesford Newsprint, Wates Construction, Denne Construction, Thamesteel and Barwick Construction and others met with members of the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network to discuss the best approaches to creating Higher Apprenticeship opportunities countywide.

The network represents all university and further education colleges in Kent and Medway.

Members were joined for the meeting at Kingsnorth Power Station by representatives of the Learning and Skills Council, SEMTA – the national sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies – the Gateway Knowledge Alliance, and the Kent training consultancy IPS-International.

Geoff Anderson, of the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network, said: “Local employers are set to play a central role in addressing the government’s initiative for Higher Education at work.

“The strong support Kent and Medway employers are showing for this programme is very encouraging and provides a firm foundation for future participation in developing higher level work-related skills for local people.”

For further information about the Kent and Medway Lifelong Learning Network go to gohigher.org.uk, email: s.j.caswell@sre.ac.uk or tel: 01634 883193