Approved by a panel of industry experts, Gloucestershire College’s Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship in collaboration with UWE Bristol has been accredited with ‘Tech Industry Gold’.

With members including IBM, Amazon, BT, Accenture and Jaguar Land Rover, Tech Partnership Degrees is an employer-led organisation which maintains the Tech Industry Gold standard and the accreditation of digital and technical degrees and apprenticeships. The organisation aims to improve the flow of talent into the digital workforce by uniting employers and higher education providers.

Programmes accredited as Tech Industry Gold meet industry standards for quality, relevance and employer focus. They integrate the technical, business and interpersonal skills that are most valued by employers, giving graduates the best possible career prospects and allowing employers to attract and train top digital talent.

Matthew Burgess, Principal and Chief Executive of Gloucestershire College, commented: “I am delighted to share the news that our Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship has been accredited with Tech Industry Gold. This recognition is testament to the incredible work of the cyber team here at Gloucestershire College and our colleagues at UWE Bristol as we continue our exciting partnership together. We are committed to supporting businesses by developing a strong talent pipeline of highly skilled individuals as we train the next generation of cyber.”

Prospective apprentices can choose Tech Industry Gold degree apprenticeship programmes with confidence, knowing they will gain high quality, relevant skills that will help them progress their career. Employers too can have every confidence that their new recruit or upskilled employee will have the latest industry knowledge.

Gloucestershire College’s cyber team is delighted to achieve this accreditation for their flagship degree apprenticeship.

Bob Higgie, Assessor at Gloucestershire College, commented: “With cyber threats on the rise and demand for skills high, quality cyber security training has never been more important.

“40 employers and six universities have collaborated to develop the standard our Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship encompasses. Achieving Tech Industry Gold is a fantastic endorsement of the programme. 

“The validation panel of industry leading employers praised the way that current workplace practice is brought into the classroom at Gloucestershire College to illustrate the theoretical and practical knowledge being delivered.

“Stringent accreditation criteria mean that the programme integrates industry-relevant academic learning with the skills new recruits or current employees need to excel in digital careers.

“Our degree apprentices are trained and work in front line cyber companies while also achieving a full honours degree from the UWE Bristol. With no student fees, a salary, a full honours degree and years of practical experience, our degree apprenticeship is an ideal route for anyone looking for their way into the cyber security industry.”

Launched by Minister for Apprenticeships and Skills, Gillian Keegan, in September 2020, Gloucestershire College’s Cyber Degree Apprenticeship has been a great success among Gloucestershire’s employers. Bamboo Technology, Infrastar, Cyber Security Associates, Babcock, CDS Defence and South Gloucestershire Council were the first employers to utilise the new programme and train degree apprentices with the College.

Ian Johnson & Phil Legg, Co-directors of the UWECyber Academic Centre of Excellence, commented: “Built on Tech Industry Gold and NCSC standards and accreditation requirements, this apprenticeship programme has been designed with a strong emphasis on partnership, student-centred engagement and an appropriate balance of education, training and practice-based experience.

“To be accredited as Tech Industry Gold, programmes have to meet the rigorous standards set by industry for both content and delivery. Learning is focused on real world issues, and employers are actively involved throughout.

“Designed to address skills shortages within the cybersecurity industry in the UK and, in particular, the South West and surrounding areas corridor, this new degree apprenticeship programme will make a strong contribution to the Tech Partnership community and a positive difference to apprentices, business and society.”

Professor Tim Brailsford, Head of Department for Computer Science & Creative Technology at UWE Bristol, added: “This exciting collaboration with Gloucestershire College compliments our cyber security activities in UWE very well.  We have a fully NCSC accredited MSc programme as well as a successful and long-established BSc, as well as an outstanding cyber security research group. Cyber security is an important part of the departmental and university strategy. We are an NCSC Academic Centre of Excellence for Cyber Security Education, and this is one of our great strengths as an institution. I have no doubt that cyber security is going to grow and become more important in the future. This degree apprenticeship fills a gap in our provision, and we are very pleased to be working with Gloucestershire College to realise this.”

Apply for September 2021 start

The next cohort for Gloucestershire College’s Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with UWE Bristol is starting in September 2021 and you can apply online today.

Taught by UWE Bristol and Gloucestershire College lecturers, apprentices earn a UWE Bristol degree, in new, world-class facilities at GC’s Cheltenham campus within easy reach of work or home.

Apply online or contact Gloucestershire College’s Business Hub team for more information about the apprenticeship via: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk

Hire new talent for your business or upskill existing staff

Cybercrime is the number one threat to all UK businesses. Recruit new talent or upskill existing staff to become cyber security specialists with Gloucestershire College. Get in touch with Gloucestershire College’s Business Hub team for more information about the Cyber Degree Apprenticeship via: business.hub@gloscol.ac.uk or visit: https://www.gloscol.ac.uk/campaigns/cyber-security-apprenticeships/