The first cohort of students from Aston University’s transport planning degree apprenticeship program have successfully graduated.
- Aston University, in collaboration with sector experts, developed this pioneering program, a first in the UK.
- Graduates maintained employment with leading transport planning employers while studying, melding practical work with academic knowledge.
- Course graduate Fran Leonard and academic leader Dr Lucy Rackliff lauded the unique learning opportunities the program offered.
- The program highlights support from employers and professional bodies, recognising its role in shaping the future of transport planning.
Aston University has marked a milestone with the graduation of the first students from its transport planning degree apprenticeship, a program distinguished as the first of its kind in the United Kingdom. Developed in close partnership with industry experts, the course integrates the acquisition of professional, academic, and management skills relevant to transport planning, addressing pivotal economic, operational, and environmental aspects.
Throughout the five-year course, students have successfully balanced academic studies with noteworthy employment in prominent organisations within the transport planning sector, such as leading engineering consultancies and public sector bodies. This dual approach not only enhanced their academic experience but also provided practical insights and skills applicable to their careers in the industry.
Celebrating their achievements, the first 12 graduates were honoured in a ceremony at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms on 23rd July. Among them, Fran Leonard, an assistant planner at Arup, praised the degree apprenticeship for its practical application and collaborative nature, underscoring the partnership between employers, students, and the university. “I’m really delighted to gain my degree apprenticeship,” she expressed, adding that the program offers indispensable skills for the workplace.
Dr Lucy Rackliff, head of Aston University’s department of engineering systems and supply chain management, highlighted the program’s suitability for ambitious and motivated learners. She commended the students for producing exceptional work over the five-year duration of their studies. Dr Rackliff also acknowledged the contributions of employers and professional entities, including the organisation STEM Explored, in supporting this innovative educational pathway.
The pioneering program at Aston University sets a precedent for future professional learning in transport planning.
