Bridging the Skills Gap: Exploring the New Degree Apprenticeship in Mining Engineering with Dr. Pat Foster

Dig Deep – The Mining Podcast Podcast

In this episode, we chat to Dr Pat Foster, Head of Camborne School of Mines & Professor in Mine Safety at University of Exeter where he lectures and undertakes research into the health, safety, and working environment aspects of mining and quarrying.

Pat is going to talk to us about the Camborne School of Mines and discuss the eagerly awaited restart of the undergraduate mining engineering degree and also the recent introduction of the degree apprenticeship in mining engineering and how people within the industry can apply plus much more.

Please share this episode to help improve mining as a brand and get more people interested in our industry.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Camborne School of Mines is set to reintroduce its undergraduate mining engineering degree next year, following a pause in 2020 due to low student intake. This decision is driven by increased demand for graduates in the mining sector, particularly in light of the UK's critical metals strategy.
• A new degree apprenticeship in mining engineering has been launched, allowing students to work while studying part-time. This model enables apprentices to gain practical experience and earn a salary without incurring student debt, making it an attractive option for those entering the industry.
• The new mining engineering degree will feature a common first year with a focus on generic engineering skills, followed by specialised modules in subsequent years. This structure aims to attract a broader pool of students and enhance employability by integrating essential skills relevant to the evolving mining industry.
• The development of the degree apprenticeship involved collaboration with industry stakeholders, including the Mining Association of the UK. This partnership ensures that the curriculum meets the needs of employers and prepares students for the challenges of modern mining practices.

BEST MOMENTS

"The demand for critical metals has really spurred this introduction... Our industry probably has never been as vital as it is now. It's crucial to the energy transition, the green economy."

"Mining engineering takes the best bits of other engineering disciplines... It's not just about mining. Many of my peers have gone on to great things as well."

"We need to work with industry, professional institutions. We all have a role in doing this... We need to promote ourselves."

"If we want to improve the image, the branding, get more people into our industry... this episode needs to be shared."

VALUABLE RESOURCES

Mail: [e-mail]

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

X: https://twitter.com/MiningRobTyson
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DigDeepTheMiningPodcast

Web: http://www.mining-international.org

Degree Apprenticeship

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/degreeapprenticeships/programmes/mining/

The Mining Engineering part-time degree (which is the equivalent of the degree apprenticeship for international students)

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mining/miningb/

Contact email for Degree apprenticeships or the equivalent international part-time programme is: [e-mail]

Full-time course:

https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/courses/mining/

ABOUT THE HOST

Rob Tyson is the Founder and Director of Mining International Ltd, a leading global recruitment and headhunting consultancy based in the UK specialising in all areas of mining across the globe from first-world to third-world countries from Africa, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Australia. We source, headhunt, and discover new and top talent through a targeted approach and search methodology and have a proven track record in sourcing and positioning exceptional candidates into our clients' organisations in any mining discipline or level. Mining International provides a transparent, informative, and trusted consultancy service to our candidates and clients to help them develop their careers and business goals and objectives in this ever-changing marketplace.

CONTACT METHOD

[e-mail]

https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-tyson-3a26a68/

Podcast Description

Rob Tyson is an established recruiter in the mining and quarrying sector and decided to produce the “Dig Deep” The Mining Podcast to provide valuable and informative content around the mining industry. He has a passion and desire to promote the industry and the podcast aims to offer the mining community an insight into people’s experiences and careers covering any mining discipline, giving the listeners helpful advice and guidance on industry topics.