Learn, Earn, Lead: The Women Redefining Career Pathways

As the world marks International Women’s Day, Northumbria University is celebrating the women breaking barriers, challenging stereotypes and building successful careers in traditionally male-dominated industries through its higher and degree apprenticeship programmes.

Across the North East, women are using apprenticeships to gain qualifications, confidence and career momentum while earning and learning at the same time. From Civil Engineering to Quantity Surveying, these programmes are opening doors to industries that have historically lacked gender diversity. Females account for just 17% of those studying ABE-related apprenticeships nationally (EngineeringUK), Northumbria is bucking the trend with 27% of its ABE apprentices being female.

One such success story is Isabelle Hewitt, now a Senior Quantity Surveyor at Esh Group. Isabelle began her degree apprenticeship with Northumbria University in 2017 and graduated in 2022. Since then, she has achieved multiple promotions and now mentors new trainees entering the industry.

“Degree apprenticeships provide a foundation of knowledge that opens doors to opportunities you may not be aware of,” she says. “Being able to apply what you learn directly in the workplace builds confidence and accelerates career progression.”

Employers are also seeing clear benefits. Beth Swainston, Training Manager at Esh Group, explains:

“Degree apprentices bring up-to-date academic knowledge, enthusiasm and a strong work ethic. Apprentices’ add value from an early stage and often go on to mentor others, strengthening our workforce long term.”

Another inspiring example is Amelia Bewick, a Civil Engineering Degree Apprentice at Northumbria University and now Assistant cost manager at Turner & Townsend. After completing her A Levels and feeling uncertain about a traditional university route, Amelia discovered degree apprenticeships as a way to gain qualifications while earning.

Since starting her programme, she has worked on major infrastructure projects including water treatment works and procurement programmes, gaining hands-on experience alongside academic study in structural analysis, geotechnics and transportation design.

“These experiences have boosted my confidence and professional skills,” Amelia says. “I’ve been trusted with real responsibility, and I can see a clear pathway for my career.”

The Government’s recent commitment to expanding apprenticeship and T-Level placements reflects the same ambitions championed by Northumbria University through its involvement in the Reinvention campaign, led by Ryder Architecture.

The initiative calls for a more collaborative, inclusive and skills-led approach to educating the future built-environment workforce. By strengthening alignment between educators and employers, this model embeds practical, interdisciplinary learning while widening access to professional careers-priorities closely linked to national goals around productivity, social mobility and economic growth.

Northumbria is also deepening its regional impact through partnerships with organisations including Education Partnership North East. Together they are supporting initiatives creating clearer pathways from post-16 education into industry.

The University is also working with the newly announced North East Construction Technical Excellence College (CTEC) as the only university partner collaborating directly with further education providers in this space.

Through this partnership, Northumbria is developing evidence-informed professional development in pedagogy for construction and housing educators, helping ensure teaching quality keeps pace with evolving industry needs and that professional expertise is effectively translated into high-quality training.

This International Women’s Day also marks a major milestone for Northumbria University as it celebrates ten years of delivering higher and degree apprenticeships that are transforming careers, strengthening organisations and building the workforce of tomorrow.

Over the past decade, the University has worked closely with employers to deliver flexible, high-quality programmes across a wide range of sectors. These programmes enable learners to gain full undergraduate or postgraduate qualifications while developing practical workplace skills.

As Northumbria University marks ten years of apprenticeship excellence, it is inviting employers and prospective learners to discover real-life case studies showcasing the transformative impact of apprenticeships on workforce development, staff retention, and long-term career progression.

Over the past decade, Northumbria has trained over 4,000 apprentices and partnered with over 650 employers, helping to build skilled, resilient workforces across a wide range of sectors.

Applications for September 2026 are now open and must be submitted by 30 June 2026.

Contact us today to discover more about our Apprenticeships.