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Northumbria University, Newcastle, is collaborating with global professional services provider EY to develop and nurture entrepreneurial and business talent in the North East region.

Northumbria and EY initially worked together to develop a three-year Chartered Management degree apprenticeship in 2017. And now, building on this success EY is creating programmes that give the firm's Newcastle office the opportunity to grow and retain local talent.

The apprentices, who are employed by EY, spend one day a week at 51���� completing their studies. This approach makes higher education more accessible – students work part-time without incurring student loans and receive on the job training and development, alongside attaining a degree. They also can easily pivot into new areas of learning, adapting to the fast pace of technological change. When the apprenticeship degree was first trialled, six apprentices took part. Now the cohort has grown to 55, across all year groups. Since developing the apprenticeship with EY and securing the firm’s ongoing support, Northumbria University has opened the programme to other businesses. Organisations can hire apprentices based on their own business requirements, making the programme viable for firms across the North East.

EY is also supporting the University’s Business Clinic and University Incubator. Within the Business Clinic, local businesses can access free consultancy advice from Northumbria students who, in turn, benefit from mentoring from EY people. Further, the University Incubator enables those with a strong entrepreneurial drive and a viable business idea the chance to launch their business. EY supports this by facilitating training sessions to teach business skills. This innovative collaboration provides a supportive and accommodating environment for entrepreneurship in the area.