Published:
Heriot-Watt University has strengthened its Graduate Apprenticeship programme with the launch of a new BSc (Hons) in Data Science.
The Graduate Apprenticeship programme creates degree-qualified employees with the essential skills for future industry. Apprentices manage their time, between the University and the workplace, to gain both academic and practical skills across key disciplines from civil engineering to software development.
The BSc (Hons) Data Science Graduate Apprenticeship scheme, which was developed from Heriot-Watt's excellence in engineering and research in artificial intelligence, requires competencies in both mathematics and computer science. Apprentices will perform statistical machine learning and analyse high volumes of complex data sets to reveal patterns and trends which support effective decision-making across manufacturing, engineering and healthcare sectors.
Launch of the new Graduate Apprenticeship scheme in data science was announced during a business information evening held at the new GRID facility at Heriot-Watt. Caroline Crocker, Learning Consultant for NHS attended the launch event : “it was an informative evening at a great venue which provided an excellent opportunity to understand more about the GA programme and network with potential employer sponsors”.
David Richardson, Chief Entrepreneurial Executive, Heriot-Watt said: “The rise of mobile and connected devices, along with new cloud services, has contributed to an exponential rise in data volume and complexity. The ability to accurately interpret these kinds of data set is recognised as a vital skill across almost all industries. Heriot-Watt's Graduate Apprenticeship programme aims to equip students with strong data science and engineering skills to help them flourish in our future digital economy”.
The fully-funded degree programme, which has already received a surge in applications, is backed by the Scottish Government and Skills Development Scotland (SDS) to boost employment in digital technology, which is estimated to be worth £20bn to the economy in the next five years.
Heriot-Watt's Graduate Apprentice team hold regular networking events in partnership with industry. A business breakfast event was held in May to introduce the Gradate Apprenticeship programme to prospective employers and ansector specific event was held last month for employers within Construction and Civil Engineering. For more information about Heriot-Watt's Graduate Apprenticeship scheme in Data Science, or for future networking opportunities, email the GA team: ga@hw.ac.uk