SRC Higher Level Apprenticeship Students speak about their Course

In advance of The BIG Apprenticeship events taking place in Newry on Tuesday coming, 7 February, Newry.ie caught up with current students on the Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) Applied Industrial Science programme to chat about the course and the HLA programme. 

The College’s Applied Industrial Science programme has both Life Science and Chemical pathways, giving students plenty of career options.  HLA’s provide students with the unique benefit of being able to study for a recognised qualification whilst undertaking relevant paid employment with partnering businesses, such as Norbrook, Almac and Randox during the week.  Courses are fully funded by The Department for the Economy, allowing students to earn while they learn and achieve professional qualifications without paying higher education tuition fees.

Dominika Simsch from Craigavon, a current student on HLA Applied Industrial Science programme travels to Norbrook in Newry for her paid work experience.  The HLA program appealed to Dominika with the balance between getting real life work experience and studying. Simsch said "I like the balance between employment and education. Rather than going to University and just being in education you get to experience what the workplace is like."

The ability to “learn and apply” course content is one of the best things about the program!  Students on one of the College’s HLA programmes attend College one day a week and put into action learnings the remaining four days in the work week. "It's like a break from work but then you're learning at the same time so you can apply what you are learning to your job." added Simsch.

Fellow student Alanna Sheridan from Armagh is currently employed with Almac in Portadown through the HLA course.  Alanna previously studied a BTEC in Applied Science at the College and had gone to university to further her studies.  However, the university route didn’t live up to expectations and Alanna examined courses on offer at the College. 

Having previously been a student, Alanna knew "The College was a good place to learn.”  The College offers many higher education options enabling individuals to gain a degree, without having to travel further field, at a fraction of the cost.  Higher education courses are all validated and accredited ensuring graduates receive a recognised qualification.

Alanna loves everything about the course.  “The ability to get out to work and see different things in the lab and how they correspond in class” has proven beneficial and enhanced her learning experience.

For anyone thinking of applying for a HLA’s, Alanna’s advice is to check out course modules to get an insight into what courses’ offer to be sure it fits for you.  For Alanna the Applied Industrial Science HLA has proven to be “A very good course and experience”.

Students can use the HLA Applied Industrial Science courses to springboard into a top-up degree with the University of Ulster, which takes less time than traditional degrees.  For students studying other HLA options at the College, there is the possibility to complete the top-up degree at SRC.

Degrees and foundation degrees offered at the College include a vast array of subjects from Computing, Cloud Computing, Quantity Surveying, Digital Construction, Electrical and & Electronic Engineering to FinTech, Digital Marketing and Sport & Exercise.  For an up-to-date list of course offerings check out SRC’s website at: www.src.ac.uk

SRC recently obtained the honour of being the only college in Northern Ireland with formal accreditation status from The Royal Society of Chemistry for the Applied Industrial Science courses.  The College is the only Further Education College within Northern Ireland to achieve this accolade, and one of only six Further Education providers in the UK with permission to use The Royal Society of Chemistry’s crest! 

For students like Dominika and Alanna, the recent accreditation status has opened a world of opportunities.  Students can travel the world with confidence their qualification carries the weight of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s approval, a more renown and marketable bow to their resume.

Deirdre Murray, Specialist Lecturer of Science at Southern Regional College commented “The recent accreditation for the HLA in Applied Industrial Science provides support to the academic and workplace training carried out within the College and by employers which students can bring with them to workplaces worldwide.”

The Big Apprenticeship

Prospective students are invited to attend The BIG Apprenticeship event at either SRC’s Newry West campus on Tuesday 7 February or at Craigavon’s Civic Centre on Thursday 9 February from 5:30pm – 7:30pm. 

Events will be attended by employers for attendees to ask questions on current job opportunities connected to the College’s apprenticeship and higher level apprenticeship course offerings.  Careers staff and campus staff will also be available to speak with.

For further information on the HLA programmes, please visit the website at: www.src.ac.uk/courses

Applications for HLA programmes are now open and can be made via the College’s website.  It’s time to think differently and consider alternative, more affordable routes to higher level education.

Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) application process

Stage 1 – apply online via SRC’s website and attend the Pre-Enrolment Advice Session (when notified by the admissions team).  This may be in person or on Microsoft Teams.

Stage 2 – If a condition offer is received, your application details will be forwarded to SRC’s pool of potential employers.

Stage 3 – Employer interview.

Stage 4 – Upload A levels results on results day, unless they can be uploaded at stage 1.

(Obtaining a place on the HLA is subject to receiving an employment offer from an employer.)

For more information please go to issuu.com

#ThinkDifferentlyThinkApprenticeships