Sunderland apprentices receive funding boost from local consortium

Published on 11, December, 2025

Apprentices at the University of Sunderland are securing the future of community and youth work in the city made possible through funding from a local consortium.

Six Community and Youth Work apprenticeships have been made possible through funding from the Sunderland All Together Consortium CIO to develop new talent and will be delivered by the University.

The Consortium is made up of a range of youth work organisations across the city that are dedicated to crafting a unified approach to empower children and young adults in the city.

There is a 40-year history of Community and Youth Work education at the University, and the introduction of the Community and Youth Work Apprenticeship in 2023 builds on this, giving apprentices at the University the chance to enhance their careers in the sector and enrich communities around the city and the region.

The skills learners gain from the apprenticeship help support the Government’s National Youth Strategy announced in August 2025, which will see £88 million of investment to support youth clubs and out-of-school activities.

Throughout their apprenticeships, learners will get the chance to work across the sector in the city through the consortium, developing their skills while meeting the needs of the sector.

Beth Fenwick, 19, is one of the learners who now has the chance to develop their career through this apprenticeship.

Beth said: “My apprenticeship has helped me feel more confident to support the young people that I interact with and it has given me the toolkit to be able to offer support to them.

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“It’s had such a positive impact on my learning because we’re able to work with different organisations through the consortium and work on different community events. It gives you a variety of experiences that helps prepare you for anything.”

The Community and Youth Work apprenticeship was developed by the University in partnership with youth work organisations including the Sunderland All Together Consortium.

University Alumna Ruth Walker, Operations Manager of the Consortium, was one of the employers who helped shaped the apprenticeship. Also involved as an Academic Tutor at the University, Ruth is helping give students a direct link to the sector through the Consortium.

Ruth said: “It is wonderful that we have funders who see the potential of investment in apprentices. Working together with the University has given us the opportunity to blend learning and practice in a way that is relevant to the needs of communities and young people across the city.

“Having a consortium approach has been crucial to the apprentices as it ensures they have the minimum required hours while benefiting from a range of different environments.”

Sarah Beck, Academic Director of Apprenticeships at the University, said: “At a time where high-quality youth work provision is needed more than ever, working in partnership with the Consortium is a great opportunity to contribute to the development of this important sector. Our apprentices are gaining practical experience in a variety of settings and making a difference to the lives of young people across the region.”

If you’re interested in what support the University of Sunderland you and your organisation can access, you can find out more at our upcoming information events here.