b'Partner News Spring 2021 17AcademicInnovative new Degree programmes bring Engineering homeNew Foundation Degree programmes inpipeline are assisted through collaboration Electronic and Electrical Engineering andin outreach, recruitment, quality assurance Mechatronic and Robotic Engineering wereQAA and stakeholder relationships.opened in September 2019, by a partnership of South and City College Birmingham,A new Engineering centre South and City (SCCB) University College Birmingham (UCB)College, funded by Greater Birmingham and University of Birmingham (UoB). Twoand Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, years study through Level 4 and 5 leads tocontains electronic and mechanical a Foundation Degree followed by top-upengineering laboratories for apprentice to a Level 6 honours BEng degree.and degree level programmes.The partnership, funded by the HEFCE 2017An industrial steering group including Arup, Catalyst Fund, aims to close the skills gapBAE Systems, Roke, Ricardo Rail, Ministry for Level 6 Engineering graduates in theof Defence, Network Rail, Qinetiq, two West Midlands, through widening access toengineering consultants and Metrasens, higher education. SCCB has a pedagogicaladvises on curriculum development, approach target to these learners, preparingproject oversight and students vacation them for Higher Education at level 6.placements. Monthly reviews with staff and a steering group of education leads for each The learning activities transition frompartner oversees the partnership. the supportive small group environment common to Further Education to theFor more information please contact independence required at Level 6. Key toKelly Rogers (Kelly.Rogers@sccb.ac.uk). this is the expertise of UCB in foundationThe partnership is particularly keen to programmes outside Engineering: onlinehear from employers who would like to resources building study skills andtake part in the programme through assessment literacy have been developedsummer placements and ideas for by a specialist team.work-place simulation in projects.Assessments including a high proportion of case studies, contextual assignments and open book exams are benchmarked against UoBs accredited learning outcomes. Best practice in learning materials, QAA process are shared. Key stages in the student'