CLASS OF 2021: Degree Apprentice graduates after booking herself a First Class degree

A mother of three from Walsall is all set to graduate at the same time as her son after booking herself a First Class Degree Apprenticeship at the University of Wolverhampton. 

Manjit Kaur, 47, is the Leisure Operations and Projects Manager at Walsall Council’s Central Library and Archives.  She passed her Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship with Chartered Manager status having achieved a Distinction after studying for three years part-time.  She recently attended her graduation ceremony at The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton with her family.  Her son is also due to graduate this week. 

The Degree Apprenticeship was funded by her employer of 21 years, Walsall Council, through the Apprenticeship Levy. 

The Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship is designed for professional managers who take lead responsibility for people, projects, operations and/or services to deliver long term organisational success. 

The three-year part-time course covers all aspects of business, including management, marketing, human resources, finance and operations management. Delivery is by a mixture of face-to-face, distance learning and in-house company mentoring and training support. Learning focuses both on theories and the application of all aspects of management. 

Councillor Ken Ferguson, Portfolio Holder for Internal Services at Walsall Council said: “Congratulations to Manjit - what an amazing achievement. Manjit was one of our first Apprentices to enter this Apprenticeship programme and has flourished with the experience, gaining a First Class degree.  

“As a council we support and encourage our employees with their aspirations to gain relevant qualifications. Endless Possibilities, our Apprenticeship scheme is delivered with our partners such as the University of Wolverhampton to offer a range of education and skill development opportunities. 

“I wish Manjit every success and encourage anyone that wishes to further their education to find out more about Apprenticeships and how they can support in career development and progression.” 

Simon Neilson, Executive Director, Economy, Environment & Communities at Walsall Council, said: “Manjit is a credit to the council.  She has ably combined a very demanding job with intense studies – reflecting the dedication colleagues know her for.  Degree Apprenticeships are a great way to invest in our workforce, and we are delighted to see the benefits of our partnership with the University of Wolverhampton.” 

Manjit said: “I didn’t have many aspirations and I started working straight away after my A Levels.  When I came into this post one of the employment conditions was to be working towards a degree or a relevant qualification so that was my foot in the door and luckily my employer was offering the Degree Apprenticeship route. 

“I wasn’t sure what to expect coming back into studying after 20 years but I started to use what I was learning in my modules quite quickly – from aspects of marketing and HR through to managing people through change.  It was all really useful as we were relaunching the building after a refurbishment project 

“To complete my degree at the same time as my children is a real achievement for me, but also to achieve this during the pandemic, while juggling work and family life, is something I’m very proud of and it was amazing to finally graduate and pick up my award.” 

Employers or employees interested in taking a Higher or Degree Apprenticeship through the University of Wolverhampton should contact the University’s Apprenticeship Hub on 01902 321000 or email: apprenticeshiphub@wlv.ac.uk. 
 

• For anyone who already has the results of their qualifications, applications can be made through Clearing from Tuesday 5 July 2022. The University’s Clearing webpage provides further information on all the courses available in Clearing. Applications can be made either by calling the Clearing Team on 01902 51 8585 or through the University’s social media channels on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.   
• For anyone who is awaiting the results of their qualifications, they can register their interest and book a phone call with a Clearing Adviser on results day, Thursday, 18 August 2022.  
• For more information our next Open Day is on Saturday 20 August 2022. 

ENDS