Hull-based multi-disciplinary engineering business Spencer Group is celebrating the achievements of five of its degree apprentices who have all graduated with First-Class Honours degrees.

Tom Dubej, Oliver Wilkinson, Matthew Hunter, Alistair Sceats and Jack Waslin, all 24, earned the highest academic classifications in their respective degrees, which they have completed while working in full-time roles at Spencer Group.

The top grades achieved by the five apprentices highlight the outstanding success of the company’s employer-led apprenticeship programmes, which represent a major, long-term investment in both its people and the future capability of the business.

The approach is also in tune with the new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s commitment to achieve parity between technical and academic qualifications, and to match education and training with local jobs and the needs of industry.

Since joining Spencer Group as engineering apprentices six years ago, the five colleagues have all gained HNC, NVQ and HND qualifications before moving onto undergraduate degrees.

Oliver, Alistair and Jack have completed Civil Engineering Degrees at Leeds Beckett University, with Tom completing a Construction Management Degree, also at Leeds Beckett, and Matthew achieving a Professional Practice in Quantity Surveying Degree at Sheffield Hallam University.

Their success also underlines the important role employer-led apprenticeships can play in tackling the UK’s engineering skills shortage, while providing an attractive alternative for young people to the traditional university route.

Degree apprenticeships enable young people to gain professional qualifications without financial barriers, earning a salary, gaining years of practical experience, and graduating without the burden of student debt.

The new graduates are all former students of Hull’s employer-led school, Ron Dearing University Technical College (UTC). As a Founding Partner, Spencer Group has played an integral role in the school since it opened in 2017 and created a direct pathway from education into high-value engineering careers.

In all, Spencer Group has employed more than 70 Ron Dearing UTC students in various apprentice roles over the past eight years, building an ongoing pipeline of young talent into the business and the engineering industry.

The success of the five graduates represents the latest landmark in Spencer Group's ongoing commitment to nurturing the next generation of engineers and demonstrates how strong partnerships between employers, educators and universities can create lasting opportunities for young people while strengthening the UK's engineering sector.

Quantity Surveyor Matthew Hunter said: “I’m a hands-on learner and really benefit from learning alongside physically doing things, so doing an apprenticeship through to degree level has really allowed me to do that.

“An apprenticeship really gives you the best of both worlds, allowing you to get the hands-on practical experience as well as the technical qualifications, all while earning a wage and not getting into student debt. So, for me, there’s no question, I’d 100% recommend a degree apprenticeship.”

Site Engineer Alistair Sceats said: “The apprenticeship at Spencer Group allowed me to rotate around the business and experience different departments, enabling me to try out a few different roles before committing to which area I wanted to specialise in. That’s something you don’t get if you go straight down the traditional university route.

“I’ve had such a positive experience in doing an apprenticeship that both of my younger brothers, who are currently at Ron Dearing, are planning to go down the apprenticeship route too.”

Spencer Group Founder and Chairman, Charlie Spencer OBE, added: “We’re incredibly proud of the achievements of our five degree apprentices.

“Their exceptional results are a testament to their talent, hard work and dedication, as well as to the support and guidance offered by their mentors within the business.

“These exceptional young people have earned outstanding academic qualifications while gaining real-world experience on major engineering projects and building successful careers. They represent exactly the kind of skilled professionals our industry needs.”