Meet three of our new Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprentices
The University of Brighton added three exciting new subjects to its degree apprenticeship portfolio in the built environment sector – one of which was the Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship.
We talked to three apprentices from the first cohort to ask why they chose this route and how they are already applying what they’re learning to their work.
“I decided to do this apprenticeship because it allows me to work and study at the same time. It also means I can apply what I’m learning to real-word scenarios straight away, rather than at the end of a four-year degree. I’ve worked for Southern Water for four years and started in their call centre. My manager approached me about this apprenticeship because Southern Water and the University have an established working relationship.
I’m looking forward to being able to actively participate in technical conversations in the workplace, having had no formal education past GCSEs – so if there’s a conversation around a particular project, I’m looking forward to being able to interpret and approach the situation better” Mel Owen, Water Reporting Quality Scientist, Southern Water
“I was working as a health and safety contractor but found myself gravitating towards environmental roles and asking questions. Southern Water saw my passion and that I was keen to learn. They made me aware of this apprenticeship programme, which was amazing as it meant that my employer really believed in me.
One of the great things about this programme is picking topics that are linked to projects we’re doing in our job, considering other ways to approach and reflect on things. I’m looking forward to learning again being able to apply critical thinking to real-world issues.” Lyra Ginns, Environmental Compliance Advisor, Southern Water
“I enrolled to upskill in environmental science. I’m an economist, but I’ve been dealing with environmental data-driven projects in the last eight years with my employer. I’m now really interested in progressing in this sector and getting my teeth into the academic and theoretical side of it, in addition to the practical experience. Environmental data analysis is the route I want to go down.
I’m looking forward to learning as much as I can and exchanging knowledge with the other apprentices and academics, putting the skills I learn to use.” Yuri Ponzani, Innovation Lead, Recycle2Trade Limited
Take a look at our Environmental Practitioner Degree Apprenticeship:
(From left to right; Mel Owen, Lyra Ginns, Yuri Ponzani)
Alex Petrovic • 07/12/2021