EDUCATION
Craig Scott is taking advantage of the flexible apprenticeship programmes offered by the University of Sunderland .
Flexibility of apprenticeships opens opportunities
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : DAVID WOOD
Juggling a busy work and home life with an MBA can be challenging . However , the flexibility of apprenticeships offered by the University of Sunderland is proving just the job for apprentices like 33-year-old Craig Scott .
Carefully developed in partnership with local employers , the university ’ s 22-month senior leader apprenticeship combines an MBA , blending work-based learning with business , leadership and management education .
It ’ s proving the ideal course for Craig , married to Sarah with a 16-month daughter , who wanted to enhance his skills after securing a management role at the Adient car seat factory in Cherry Blossom Way , Sunderland .
Craig joined the armed forces straight from school but after being medically discharged , he landed a temporary contract as production operator at Adient – then known as Johnson Controls .
Craig excelled , quickly securing a supervisor role and was soon after promoted to a management position .
He said : “ I was the youngest manager at the plant , working with some very experienced people . There was some initial resistance , but I believe you win people over if you ’ re authentic and open with them . I ’ m pleased to be part of some real success stories .”
However , Craig still wanted to improve his leadership skills and , after researching his options , the University of Sunderland MBA senior leader apprenticeship ticked every box .
He added : “ I have received positive results from my team management skills but there wasn ’ t anything formal to underpin my experience and performance , and nothing to challenge me to the next level .
“ I wanted something to push me to a different way of thinking . It was deemed bold to go from basically nothing to Masters level , but I did my research , pitched it to the business and they agreed it was right thing to do .”
Flexibility is a key part of the programme , with an acknowledgement that the demands of the workplace sometimes requires a less rigid set day to the minimum 20 per cent " off-the-job " study .
Craig said : “ Sometimes I ’ ll be at the university a couple of days a month , other times there are online live sessions and independent learning activities . It ’ s difficult to get a full day out of the business , though , so for me it ’ s about little and often – to try and study for eight hours solid , say , is often too difficult , so it ’ s a bit of a balancing act .
“ I started in September and I ’ m already learning a lot . The first module about leadership identity , for example , has been an
If you fancy embarking on a new challenge , the next MBA Senior Leader start date is May 5 .
To find out more about the MBA Senior Leader apprenticeship at the University of Sunderland go to sunderland . ac . uk / apprenticeships
Why not sign up to one of the University Senior Leader online information events by scanning the QR code ?
eye opener and I ’ m looking forward to what ’ s coming next .”
The programme lead , senior lecturer in leadership David Pearson , said the apprenticeship allows individuals without formal qualifications to access higher education , as long as they have the necessary work experience and work in roles that allow them to meet the apprenticeship standard criteria . The university offers all students across any programme including apprenticeships access to all facilities and support networks . This includes study skills support such as critical writing and referencing – ideal if you have not studied in a while !
He told Wear Business : “ We appreciate that the people who join the programme are working in senior roles within their organisations and are busy , so the programme is designed to allow the apprentices to have some flexibility around work , study and family .
“ Craig is a great example of how this works as he blends his demanding role in the automotive industry with his study and family life ."
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