Kingston University celebrates graduation of UK’s first ever Environmental Degree Apprentices

The UK’s first ever cohort of Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentices has graduated from Kingston University.

The programme, launched in 2019, gives apprentices a chance to learn while they work and build skills to find sustainable solutions to issues including climate change, resource use, environmental pollution and development pressures.

The apprentices collected their degrees and apprenticeship completion certificates during Kingston University’s January graduation ceremonies after successfully completing the final element of their apprenticeship assessment.

The degree apprenticeship at Kingston University sees apprentices employed in industry, during which they study with Kingston University one day per week. This combination of training builds degree-level knowledge, which apprentices apply to their daily activities and develop the behaviours needed to become recognised professionals in their field.

Joseph Bates, one of the graduating apprentices, said the work-while-you-study nature of the course helped develop his knowledge and skills. “Through the apprenticeship I was able to learn about new, exciting and innovative environmental solutions and techniques and instantly put these into practice in my working life. The synergies between the University and work helped me enhance my knowledge, skills and behaviours by instantly being able to apply what I had learnt in a real-world environment, simultaneously solidifying my learning,” he said.

“I was also able to conduct research on an emerging area through my work-based project, identifying opportunities to embed climate resilience into Biodiversity Net Gain planting and have since secured funding to continue this project,” he added.

Backed by Skills England, the apprenticeship was launched first by Kingston University after working with the Technical Apprenticeship Consortium (TAC), employers and professional institutions. These included WSP, Mott MacDonald, Waterman Group, Institute of Sustainability and Environmental Professionals (ISEP), Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM), Institution of Environmental Sciences (IES) and the Society for the Environment. It has since been rolled out nationally following the success of Kingston University’s programme. Enrolments on the apprenticeship have grown annually, and it has attracted over 350 apprentices across England.

By following the degree apprenticeship programme, employers can place apprentices into employment across the environmental sector, and in a variety of environmental specialisms, such as air quality, environmental policy, climate change, waste management, drainage, coastal and flood defences, transport systems and land contamination.

Crucial to launching the programme was Director of Strategic Partnering and Development at Kingston University Professor Mukesh Limbachiya. He said the graduation marked a significant milestone in the partnership with sponsoring employers and employees. “We have clearly demonstrated how co-designed degree apprenticeships can provide high-impact, future-ready skills in a highly demanded field. It offers strong evidence of the collaborative role that training providers and employers can play in advancing the skills agenda and we look forward to continuing our close collaboration with key stakeholders and building further momentum in this domain."

During the programme, apprentices have worked with industry leading partners in engineering and construction including WSP, Mott MacDonald, Jacobs and Balfour Beatty. This enables these employers to attract, train and retain talent, whilst offering apprentices an alternative route into this key sector. 

Melanie Reid, Technical Director for Environmental and Sustainability at Mott MacDonald, who are members of the TAC, said the apprenticeship would enable them to attract and nurture passionate individuals whose skills and fresh perspectives are essential to their ongoing commitment to sustainability and environmental excellence.

“Investing in apprenticeships helps us build a diverse, future-ready workforce, creates new opportunities for professional growth and strengthens our ability to deliver innovative solutions for our clients and communities,” she said. “I see these programmes as fundamental not only to retaining talent, but to ensuring Mott MacDonald continues to lead in tackling the environmental challenges of tomorrow.”

The degree apprenticeship was designed to meet the professional registration requirements for Registered Environmental Practitioner through a variety of professional bodies across the environmental sector, through which, successful graduates are offered a shortened application route. At Kingston University, the programme has been accredited by ISEP, with Deputy Chief Executive Martin Baxter saying the apprenticeship pathway plays an important role in widening access to the profession and helping individuals establish themselves in environmental and sustainability roles.

“The programme has given the graduates the opportunity to build practical experience alongside academic learning, helping them develop the skills and confidence employers value,” he said. “They now have a direct route to ISEP Practitioner membership through their degree apprenticeship, offering them the opportunity to strengthen their credentials through continued career development with support from ISEP as a respected professional body.”

• Find out more about the Environmental Science Degree Apprenticeship BSc (Hons) at Kingston University.