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Higher Level Apprenticeships Set Students on the Path to Specialist Careers from Day One

02 Oct 2025

South West College (SWC) is proud to highlight the transformative impact of its Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) programmes, delivered in partnership with industry leader JMG Systems, which are shaping specialist careers from the very start.

Combining hands-on, paid industry experience with academic study from day one, the HLAs provide students with a fast-track route into their chosen professions. Among those benefiting are Omagh students Amy Byers, specialising in Business, and Christopher Cosgrove, specialising in Engineering, who are both building clear, accelerated career pathways through this innovative approach.

Now in the final year of the three-year HLA Foundation Degree in Business Management, Amy has progressed rapidly in her career with JMG Systems. Earning a salary while she studies and without the burden of tuition fees or student debt, Amy is already gaining significant experience across multiple business streams, contributing to projects for global manufacturers in sectors such as quarrying, materials handling, and airport support equipment.

Spending 80% of her time on-site with JMG Systems and the remaining 20% in off-the-job training at the College, Amy says the balance of practical work and academic learning has been ideal in helping her develop the skills and confidence needed to thrive in a competitive industry.

Amy said:
“The HLA pathway has allowed me to grow both professionally and personally over the past 2 years. Through the college, I have been offered valuable opportunities such as the Turing Scheme, which provided me with experiences I would never have gained had I not chosen the HLA route. With guidance from my lecturers and colleagues at JMG, I have been able to develop my interest in the management side of the industry, an area I am truly passionate about. Both SWC and my employer, JMG, have given me the confidence and skills to excel in my current role and prepare for future opportunities.”

Similarly, Christopher Cosgrove found the traditional school environment restrictive but has flourished through the HLA Foundation Degree in Mechatronic Engineering, where he was able to specialise, gain hands-on experience, and explore his interests directly at JMG Systems.

Reflecting on his journey, Christopher said:
My time in this course and working for JMG has presented me with many opportunities that I have been grateful for. Being able to have the experience in an engineering company alongside my academic knowledge allows me to be ahead of the curve, unlike other university and college students who gain experience after they graduate. My experience is always growing and developing as I work and study, allowing me to show I have not only my degree but knowledge of what it’s like to be in the role of an engineer.

Christopher is continuing his studies, moving from his Foundation Degree to a full BEng (Hons) degree; an achievement he once thought was beyond his reach. He credits SWC’s supportive and practical pathway for enabling both his academic and professional growth.

Noreen McGirr, Higher Level Apprenticeship and Business Process Manager at South West College, commented on the success of the partnership:
“SWC, in conjunction with JMG Systems, won the Small to Medium Enterprise category at the 2025 NI Apprenticeship Awards, showcasing the immense value of our HLA programmes. These pathways combine academic learning with real-world experience, giving students the skills, confidence, and industry connections they need to succeed.

“The achievements of Amy, Christopher, and current JMG HLA students such as Abby Crawford, Nathan Cullinan, Karolina Kuczma, Rosie Lumley, Adam McClintock, Nathan McGuigan and Ela Wichrowska are proof that our apprenticeships launch careers from day one. We are deeply grateful to JMG Systems and all our industry employers across a diverse range of sectors for their ongoing support and participation in the programme.”

Debbie O’Brien, HR Manager for JMG Systems added:

“We greatly value our partnership with South West College, which provides motivated and well-prepared apprentices. From an employment perspective, the HLA programme is an excellent way of bringing the practical application of theory into a real workplace setting, helping apprentices to build confidence and develop in their chosen career path. Those individuals who have taken the apprenticeship route in JMG have progressed into specialist roles, demonstrating the real impact of the programme for both the apprentice and our business.”

To find out more about the Higher Level Apprenticeship programmes available at South West College, visit www.swc.ac.uk/courses/hla

Employers interested in partnering with the College to support and develop future talent are encouraged to contact Noreen McGirr at Noreen.mcgirr@swc.ac.uk

Higher Level Apprenticeships

Get a head start in your career with HLAs by combining paid industry experience and degree-level study from day one.

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