Balfour Beatty to inspire the next generation of engineers through NMITE partnership

Balfour Beatty has announced a new partnership with the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering (NMITE).

The infrastructure group hopes to inspire the next generation of engineers through its collaboration with NMITE - a new higher education Institution that is working to revolutionise engineering degree education in the UK.

Based in Hereford, NMITE has designed its curriculum to mirror real-world working environments with students engaged in projects to enhance their practical experience, arming them with critical skills and industry knowledge.

With an innovative accelerated degree programme and more flexible entry requirements, which includes no prerequisites of maths or physics at A Level, the institution opens the doors for a broader and more diverse range of students to pursue careers in engineering.

Currently comprising 60 students, NMITE has ambitious plans to grow its student body to approximately 300 by 2027, having received vital funding from the UK government in 2017.

Through the partnership, Balfour Beatty will actively contribute to the NMITE curriculum, provide industrial placements for students and host seminars that provide technical insights into the construction and infrastructure industry.

Paul Raby, Balfour Beatty Group HR director, said: “We are thrilled to join forces with NMITE and contribute to their ground-breaking approach to engineering education.

"By combining our industry expertise with NMITE’s innovative curriculum, we can empower the next generation of engineers to excel in practical skills and meet the evolving demands of the construction industry.

 “With this partnership, we can open doors for a diverse range of young people to enter the construction industry by catering to a variety of learning abilities that equips students with a well-rounded skillset.”

James Newby, chief executive at NMITE, added: “Our breakthrough, interdisciplinary model of higher education involves, at every stage, engagement with employer partners and work on real life projects. 

“What better experience for our students to have than to hone their skills with a partner of the calibre of Balfour Beatty?

"Joining forces with this leading international group will be another fundamental part of shaping tomorrow’s engineers so that students leave NMITE not only work ready but as true game changers.”

This latest partnership is a further example of Balfour Beatty’s commitment to attracting the next generation of talent, with 6.5% of the company’s UK workforce now made up of apprentices, graduates, trainees and sponsored students as part of its membership of The 5% Club – a movement of employers committed to providing ‘Earn & Learn’ positions.