Access funding, talent, and expertise: How the University of Sunderland can support your business

Topic - Apprenticeships

Our Employer Support Open Day will showcase how we can help you achieve your goals and offer resources and support in the following areas:

• Recruiting new talent: From apprenticeships to graduate placements, we can help you find the perfect candidates to strengthen your team.
• Upskilling your workforce: Access funded training and CPD opportunities to increase your team's potential and ensure they’re equipped for future challenges.
• Supporting innovation and new projects: Our Arrow Project and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) can help you develop new ideas, products, and services, bringing cutting-edge knowledge and technology to your organisation.
• Implementing new technologies: Collaborate with us to introduce innovative technologies and systems that drive efficiency and growth in your operations.
• Accessing facilities and venues: Use our state-of-the-art facilities and venues to support your business needs, from research and development to hosting events or meetings.
• Graduate or student placements: Tap into a pool of talented graduates or students to bring fresh perspectives and energy to your team or department, while offering valuable real-world experience.

Workshops you can look forward to on the day include:

People First: Introducing AI and Automation with Culture in Mind
A facilitated session focused on how to adopt AI and automation in a way that supports and involves your people. We'll explore the cultural considerations, concerns, and opportunities that arise when introducing emerging technologies – with a strong emphasis on communications, trust, inclusion, and engagement.

Connecting your Business with Student and Graduate Talent
This session will showcase how businesses can tap into emerging talent through internships, placements, and graduate schemes. Kevin Waters from Fairstone Group will share his experience of partnering with the University. Niall Watson will also talk about the skills and confidence he gained from his time as an intern at Fairstone.

Leadership Masterclass
What makes you a leader? Join Dr Ian Carr, expert in work-based learning, to explore the skills and traits that make you a more effective leader with a snapshot into the University's Leadership Masterclass, just one of a range of short courses and CPD courses available to businesses.

Innovation Workshop
Join us for a session exploring the common barriers to innovation and how university innovation support programmes can help to overcome them. Hear from a real-world business and take the opportunity to discuss how we could support your organisation.

If you have any questions about apprenticeships, contact our team:
Email: apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk
Call: 0191 515 3361

*Please note that our apprenticeships are only available to organisations, employers, and employees based in the UK.
 
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships offer a powerful way for employers to attract new talent and develop their existing workforce. They allow employees to gain industry-recognised qualifications – up to master’s level – while continuing to contribute to your business, with funding typically covered by the Apprenticeship Levy or government support. We offerdegree apprenticeships across key sectors, including healthcare, digital, engineering, and the public sector, ensuring businesses can access the skills needed for today’s evolving industries.

Access Training continues to deliver high-quality apprenticeships up to Level 5 across a range of occupational areas, including business and management, project management, human resources, and fire and security, as well as up to Level 7 apprenticeships in accountancy. The expert training provider is also expanding its range of apprenticeships with the upcoming development and introduction of IT and digital. 

This partnership provides a comprehensive and flexible talent development solution, supporting career progression at every stage and helping businesses build the skilled workforce they need for long-term success.

CPD Funded and Funded Training
We offer an employer-centred approach to training, education, and workforce development, providing both public and scheduled courses that are available as accredited or non-accredited options, in addition to bespoke corporate packages. 

We aim to simplify the process of achieving your training objectives, regardless of complexity, and collaborate with a wide range of partners to deliver highly specialised training. Our team works closely with organisations to design tailored programmes aligned with existing frameworks and strategic goals, maximising return on investment. 

We also offer the flexibility to develop accreditation proposals for in-house training, ensuring relevance and practical application in the workplace. Our commitment to relationship management and quality assurance places clients and their staff at the heart of all programme decisions. Funding is available across several projects for eligible businesses.

Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)
A KTP is a funded collaboration between a business, a university, and a graduate, designed to solve a strategic challenge through innovation. KTPs give companies access to academic expertise and emerging technologies like AI and IoT, helping develop new products, processes, or services. Eligible UK businesses with 10 plus staff can benefit from expert support, shared project costs, and long-term capability growth.

Arrow Project

Arrow Sunderland Innovate and Grow (SIG) is a fully funded support programme for Sunderland-based businesses looking to innovate. If you're developing a new product, service, or way of working, we can help.

Our expert team from the University of Sunderland works with you on two main areas:

1. Creative / Cultural - we support innovation challenges around:

• TV/ Film Production, Performing Arts, Music, Dance
• Cultural and Heritage-based innovations

2. Sustainable Advanced Manufacturing – We can support you with:

• Streamlining your manufacturing processes
• Planning and improving how you manage assets
• Exploring digital tools and technologies
• Testing early-stage ideas (proof of concept)

3. Digital Adoption – We can help you:

• Find and use the right digital tools for your business goals
•  Improve internal systems and processes through digital solutions

This support is completely free for eligible Sunderland businesses, thanks to the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Venue Sunderland
Venue Sunderland offers an inspiring setting for meetings, conferences, and events of all sizes. With award-winning facilities and purpose-built spaces across two stunning, accessible campuses, we provide bespoke solutions tailored to every occasion. From intimate meetings to large-scale events, our specialist facilities and expert team ensure every detail is handled with care. We pride ourselves on enhancing the customer experience and supporting you every step of the way to deliver a seamless and memorable event.

Graduates, Placement and Enterprise
Discover how partnering with our Centre for Graduate Prospects can connect you with the next generation of skilled, motivated students and graduates. Through our Centre for Graduate Prospects, we work closely with business and community organisations to shape real-world learning, enhance student employability and entrepreneurial thinking, and develop future-ready talent. From placement and internship to mentoring opportunities, you can find out about the range of ways to engage with student and graduate talent. This can be in the form of:

• Graduate vacancies/schemes
• Placement years
• Short term, in-year placements
• Internships
• Part-time jobs
• Vacation work
• Voluntary opportunities (Charities, CiC’s, Not for Profit)