UCB secures landmark Level 3 apprenticeship contract with major housing association

UCB has confirmed a sought-after deal to provide 20 Level 3 Apprenticeships to staff at the Midland Heart Housing Association, forming the final stage of the company’s three-part leadership programme.

The Association staged a rigorous selection process to find a suitable partner, with a large number of providers under consideration. Midland Heart was finally compelled to offer UCB the deal after representatives from the Association visited the University and were bowled over by the quality of teaching, its facilities and the diversity of its services devoted to employability and skills.

Boiled down from over 100 initial contenders for the scheme, the final cohort of successful applicants will embark on the dynamic leadership programme this October. Sessions will cover everything from personal effectiveness and operational management to communication and finance. All of the apprentices are current Midland Heart employees looking to improve their leadership skills and progress within the Association, which provides over 33,000 affordable homes to local authorities across the region.

The official introduction of the scheme was marked today with a launch at UCB’s McIntyre House. UCB’s Vice-Chancellor & Principal Ray Linforth and Baljinder Kang, Head of HR and Learning at Midland Heart, took centre stage as they each signed a commitment statement affirming UCB and Midland Heart’s formal partnership in writing.

“We’ve chosen to pursue this apprenticeship scheme because of a growing demand among our staff to be better equipped for leadership roles,” said Baljinder. “These are workers on the front line of what we do, and we believe there’s no better way for them to grow and develop professionally than through a qualification like this.”

“Apprenticeships are a key priority for this university,” added Paul Doherty, UCB’s Director of Student Employability. “We’re delighted to have secured this partnership, as Midland Heart is exactly the kind of progressive employer we strive to build relationships with. We look forward to working with them.”