Leeds Trinity University has celebrated its first ever graduation ceremony for students undertaking its Supply Chain Leadership Professional Degree Apprenticeship. 

The ceremony capped a three-and-a-half-year programme which equips students with the skills and experience to pursue or enhance a career in the supply chain sector. 

Joining their peers from the University’s School of Business, eight graduates joined their families, friends, tutors, and employers in Leeds Trinity’s Chapel, donning caps and gowns to accept their awards. 

Leeds Trinity was the first provider to offer the Supply Chain Leadership Professional Degree Apprenticeship, which is delivered in partnership with the Supply Chain Academy – a business-led education provider dedicated to delivering supply chain excellence. 

The apprenticeship is suitable for school/college leavers and career changers who wish to pursue a career in the sector, or those already in supply chain roles.  It combines workplace learning opportunities with theoretical knowledge gained through formal classes and results in a full Bachelor’s degree. 

Graduate Jake Hopkins, Supply Chain Analyst said: “The apprenticeship has benefited me by providing me with the opportunity to combine learning in the classroom with learning in the workplace - I have gained a vast amount of experience in a variety of different areas and now have the knowledge to go with this to kick start my career.”

“The experience itself has been challenging, especially with covid, however the lecturers have been extremely supportive and the lectures themselves extremely interesting and relevant to my job.”

Claire Newhouse, Leeds Trinity’s Director of the Centre for Apprenticeships, Work Based Learning and Skills said: “We are hugely proud to see the first Supply Chain Leadership graduations at Leeds Trinity University. My congratulations go to this group, the first in the UK to complete this innovative Degree Apprenticeship, and my colleagues who have delivered high quality teaching and support to help the Class of 2022 achieve excellent results.  Our approach reflects Leeds Trinity’s ‘name not a number’ ethos, which has proven particularly important for this group of individuals who have overcome the challenges of COVID-19 both personally, but also professionally, as the world faced unprecedented disruptions across supply chains.

Paul Stone, Managing Director of the Supply Chain Academy said: “Times have changed and signing up for an apprenticeship is now a valid alternative option to attending a university traditionally. Those who sign up for a degree apprenticeship with Leeds Trinity can look forward to earning and learning with some of the UK’s biggest companies.”

Reflecting on the challenges caused by COVID-19, he added: “The group has demonstrated commitment, dedication and flexibility, all great traits that will stand them in good stead in their personal lives and career progression.”

Designed in partnership with employers, Leeds Trinity’s higher level and degree apprenticeships combine higher education qualifications, work experience and industry-relevant skills to create graduate calibre individuals within an organisation.  The degree apprenticeship in Supply Chain Leadership was approved in February 2018 by the Institute for Apprenticeships (IfA). CP Training Services (the skills and qualifications arm of the Supply Chain Academy) and Leeds Trinity University were the first to start delivering this degree.

Since 2018, the Supply Chain Leadership programme has grown to nearly 450 students across the UK of all experience and backgrounds from all kinds of organisations including Airbus, AstraZeneca, BAE Systems, BT, Henkel, Uniserve, Pepsico, Royal Mail & many more. 

Find out more about apprenticeships at Leeds Trinity University on the website.