As part of a Daily Focus campaign promoting National Apprenticeship Week, Jane Tunnicliff, Director of Apprenticeships at Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG), explains their Higher Apprenticeship offer.
“At NSCG, we continue to strengthen our commitment to higher-level skills through an expanding apprenticeship provision. From January 2026, we have launched a brand-new Higher Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering, responding directly to employer demand and the growing need for skilled professionals to support the UK’s infrastructure ambitions.
This exciting new programme complements our strong and well-established Higher Apprenticeship offer. We already deliver apprenticeships in Engineering Manufacturing Technician, Lead Engineering Maintenance Technician, Software Developer, Network Engineer and Operations Manager, all designed to develop advanced technical and leadership skills while apprentices remain in paid employment.
Beyond engineering and digital, our provision spans vital public and professional services. Apprentices can progress through roles; Professional Accounting Technician, Specialist Teaching Assistant, Lead Practitioner in Adult Care and Leader in Adult Care, supporting workforce development across education, health, and social care. We are also preparing to introduce the Technician Scientist (Level 5) apprenticeship, which will soon be available and will further strengthen our STEM offer at the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Institute of Technology.
What makes higher apprenticeships at NSCG so impactful is the balance between academic learning and real-world application. Apprentices gain recognised qualifications while employers’ benefit from highly skilled staff who can immediately contribute to productivity, innovation and service quality.
Our higher apprenticeship provision is designed to meet the needs of both learners and employers. The launch of the Civil Engineering Higher Apprenticeship in January 2026 is a significant step forward, ensuring we are developing the technical talent required for future growth while providing clear progression routes into high-level careers.
For me, this is about opportunity—creating pathways that allow people to progress, reskill or upskill without stepping away from employment, while supporting employers to build sustainable, future-ready teams.
If you are an employer looking to develop your workforce, or an individual ready to take the next step in your career, I encourage you to explore what NSCG has to offer.”
To find out more about higher apprenticeships at NSCG, email apprenticeships@nscg.ac.uk.
