Sterling employee James Morton recently completed his apprenticeship graduating with BEng first class honours.
James became one of the first people in the UK to complete and pass an Electrical Electronic Technical Support Degree Apprenticeship.
While studying his apprenticeship, James was promoted to Assistant Plant Manager at Sterling, a global pharmaceutical company developing and manufacturing the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) that go into life-saving drugs around the world.
Sterling currently has six members of its Cramlington site’s 650-strong workforce undertaking a degree apprenticeship with Sunderland.
Over the last three years, the company has grown significantly, expanding its operations and acquiring three new facilities in the UK and US.
Investment in staff has been key to this growth, and the organisation is committed to continuously upskilling its people
James, 25, from Cramlington, who began working at Sterling four years ago as a technician, said: “I have always been someone who wants to continuously develop myself and I believe that knowledge is the best thing you can have, and the more you learn the better you can become.”
After leaving school, obtaining a degree was always in the back of James’ mind. He explains: “When I looked into the degree apprenticeship opportunity that Sterling and the University of Sunderland were providing, I realised how beneficial it would be. It was a no-brainer to work full-time, develop my skills and study, all while getting paid.”
Michael Douglas, Senior Lecturer in Engineering at the University of Sunderland, said: “James was a dedicated and motivated apprentice, who consistently achieved a first-class grade profile, he was also a well-respected member of the cohort.”
He added: “The degree apprenticeship programme continues to grow by working with local industry. It helps to develop employees into motivated, qualified, and successful engineers.
The University has a good relationship with Sterling Pharma Solutions and values the industrial experience that each apprentice brings with them to the programme.”
Brett Sharkey, Learning and Development Business Partner at Sterling, said: “In the time we have worked with the University of Sunderland they have provided great support to our apprentices.
“This degree apprenticeship allows employees an opportunity to step up; it also allows our organisation to carefully consider and address succession planning and skills shortages that are faced industry-wide. It enables us to support, train and nurture our managers of the future.”
He added: “We are delighted by James’ progression since he joined us. He’s incredibly motivated, and the work he did as part of his dissertation has helped in our continuous improvement projects.”
So what advice does James have for others thinking about an apprenticeship?
“I have learnt that I’m a lot more flexible and adaptable than I thought I was. I would certainly recommend others do an apprenticeship,” he says.
A record number of employers across the country have now signed up to the University of Sunderland’s Higher and Degree Apprenticeship Programmes working in partnership to develop a highly-skilled workforce thriving into the future.
Since launching in 2016 with just a handful of employers, the University scheme has grown year on year. Now partnering with more than 100 organisations, the University offers 15 degree-level apprenticeship programmes, across a range of sectors and job roles.
Apprenticeships are job-role specific and involve a range of work-based projects which allow learning to be applied directly into business.
Despite the impact of the pandemic over the last two years, our apprentices have continued making major contributions to the success of workplaces in areas such as health, technology, engineering, education and business leadership, helping employers adapt and grow.
Apprenticeships are levy-funded if an organisation is a levy payer or, for smaller businesses, the Government contributes 95% towards the tuition fees. It’s an opportunity for employers to attract talent to their business, train staff and see a return on investment.
Hazel Rounthwaite, Head of Work-Based Learning at the University of Sunderland said: "We put employer engagement at the forefront of what we do.
All our apprenticeships are developed in collaboration with a wide range of employers to ensure they are meeting skills gaps, business needs and guaranteeing currency.
Apprenticeships are a fantastic vehicle for enabling employers to access a wider talent pool in addition to providing skills development for existing employees. It is ideal as funding is available to cover tuition fees and an apprentice employee can earn whilst they learn."
Tony Ikwe, Director of Enterprise and Innovation at the University of Sunderland, added: “Our Higher and Degree Apprenticeship provision has gone from strength to strength.
We now offer 15 apprenticeship programmes across a wide range of sectors with more in development. Our close engagement with employers has helped them extend apprentice opportunities and build the knowledge and skills essential to business growth in the region.”