LJMU apprentice at the heart of major university redevelopment

One of LJMU’s own students is helping to deliver the university’s biggest redevelopment project.

Work is under way to transform the Henry Cotton Building in LJMU’s City Campus and part of the team delivering the project is degree apprentice Olivia Garry.

Olivia, from West Derby in Liverpool, is a first year quantity surveying apprentice and works with VINCI Building, the contractor carrying out the major refurbishment.

The project is decarbonising the building, creating modern new flexible facilities for students and staff, and creating a bright, attractive look and feel.

Olivia said: “I am proud to be both a student and part of the VINCI team delivering the Henry Cotton Building project. It feels good to know that the success of this project will benefit me and other students for many years to come.”

About degree apprenticeships at LJMU

A degree apprenticeship is a route into work-based learning that enables apprentices to achieve a full degree while developing practical skills in the workplace.

Olivia spends 20% of her time studying at LJMU and 80% working with VINCI Building, where her responsibilities include procuring works packages, package management, monthly assessments, drafting subcontract orders and site measurements.

Apprentices are in the workplace for at least 30 hours per week, earning a wage and receiving other employment entitlements, with tuition fees paid by the employer from government funding.

Hard work but rewarding

Olivia said: “I was interested in a degree apprenticeship as it offered a route to gain experience whilst completing a degree. From VINCI, I get 1:1 support from my line manager who is always available to answer my questions and provide development. This is useful for gaining knowledge when completing assignments. Vinci have also enrolled me on several training courses which have all been very rewarding.

“From LJMU I get support of tripartite reviews which review my strengths and weaknesses in the workplace and help set deadlines and ways I can achieve all RICS competencies. 

“We also have the support of the library and this is helpful in reading week and when I need to take study leave. LJMU also has accessible ways of contacting lecturers which helps with any assignment-based enquiries I have.

“I believe degree apprenticeships are a great way of starting a career whilst achieving a degree. It’s hard work but very rewarding with a practical working style.”

High quality academic study and real world industry experience

Thomas Dowd, LJMU Programme Leader (Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship) and EBE Apprenticeship Co-ordinator, said: “We’re delighted that, through her degree apprenticeship, Olivia is part of the VINCI Building team delivering LJMU’s Henry Cotton Building redevelopment project.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for her and perfectly reflects what our degree apprenticeships aim to achieve – a combination of high quality academic study and real world industry experience. Our programmes prepare our apprentices with the skills, knowledge, behaviours and experience to thrive in their chosen career.”

Milena Davis, Head of Early Careers at VINCI Building, said: “Olivia’s journey is a great example of what degree apprenticeships can achieve when a committed learner is supported by a strong partnership between employer and university. 

“At VINCI Building, we’re proud to invest in early careers talent and to give apprentices meaningful responsibility on major projects like the Henry Cotton Building refurbishment. 

“Olivia is developing the technical and professional skills that will underpin a long-term career in construction, while helping us deliver modern, low carbon facilities that will benefit LJMU students and staff for years to come.” 

Progress on the Henry Cotton Building redevelopment

You can keep up to date with the redevelopment as works progress.

The works are scheduled to be completed by summer 2027 when the remodelled building will be home to programmes from the Faculty of Health, Innovation, Technology and Science.