Bathgate Group funding supports LJMU degree apprentices and inspires next generation

At the start of 2025, the Bathgate Group pledged £250,000 over the next five years to support aspiring and current degree apprenticeship learners at LJMU who are striving to forge successful careers in the construction industry.

Thanks to the generous donation, the Bathgate Early Career Launchpad Project was launched and is already making a difference.

To date, more than 10 bursaries have been awarded to current students on apprenticeship programmes within the School of Engineering and Built Environment, helping to ease financial constraints.

In addition, three successful events with local colleges and industry partners have been hosted, raising awareness about the opportunities of university and apprenticeship programmes within the construction, engineering and property sector. Over 100 students from the Liverpool City Region engaged in the events and were introduced to industry partners as well as LJMU’s robotic dog Savage.

The university’s industry employers - Morgan Sindall, Curtins, A and B Engineering, and Arup - have also signed up to a new initiative as part of the launchpad project, pledging to support students through four commitments. This includes facilitating access to site visits and providing mentoring, alongside industry talks focusing on jobs in the sector, providing advice on how students can stand out from the crowd when trying to gain employment.

This is just the start of a journey looking at supporting the future professionals in the industry and giving students, who may not have thought about university as an option, the opportunity to see their potential and the wider career paths that construction, engineering and property can bring.

We are so fortunate to have such strong links with industry that working in partnership with us will help so many students have the opportunity to a future career path though this project.

Dr Fiona Borthwick, Subject Head for Civil Engineering and Built Environment

The Bathgate Group, in collaboration with LJMU, established the project to create life and early career experiences for LJMU students, with the objective to inspire and empower students from underrepresented backgrounds by breaking down barriers to entry and creating a more inclusive, supportive pathway into the sector.

Find out more about the Bathgate Early Career Launchpad Project.