Staffordshire and Manchester Metropolitan Universities have given their backing to the Applied Materials Research, Innovation and Commercialisation Co.’s (AMRICC) proposed degree apprenticeship in materials science and engineering. A leadership team has also been forged to give employers a voice in the content of the program, with Chris Stevens, Ph.D., from NGF Europe elected chair, and James Smith from Caterpillar elected vice chair of the employee group.

The employer group was formed earlier this year following input from companies across the UK that are interested in developing training beyond the current materials curriculum. An application to government has been made by the employee group to create the degree apprenticeship for materials professionals. Proposed content for the program includes ceramics, advanced ceramics, glass, and polymers, as well as new and novel materials.

Interested industry representatives can still play a part in the process; the next employer group meeting will take place September 27 in Stoke-on-Trent. The application feedback will be discussed during the meeting.

“The application has moved forward considerably and, with the support of the universities and the employer group, we are now well-placed to start to shape a training program that really meets the needs of industry,” said Cathryn Hickey, Ph.D., chief executive of AMRICC. “We hope to attract more manufacturers and organizations to our next meeting, so they can have their say and contribute to the design and content of the training and the format the apprenticeship takes.”

For more information, email cathryn.hickey@amricc.com or visit www.amricc.com.