Last month as part of National Apprenticeships Week, a group of our students had a fantastic opportunity to meet the team at Mott MacDonald — the global engineering and development consultancy who sponsor our DEC (Design Engineer Construct) programme. Hosted at Mott MacDonald’s Manchester offices, the visit gave students an eye-opening look at what modern apprenticeships can really offer, and the doors they can open.
Who Are Mott MacDonald?
Mott MacDonald is one of the world’s leading engineering, management and development consultancies, working on major infrastructure and built environment projects across the globe — from transport and energy to water and urban development. As the sponsor of our DEC school status, they are not just a name on a page; they are an active partner in preparing our students for careers in the industries that shape the world around us.
National Apprenticeships Week: The Event
National Apprenticeships Week is a celebration of the incredible variety of apprenticeship routes available to young people today, and Mott MacDonald marked the occasion by throwing open their doors to our students. The day included a tour of their offices, an engaging presentation from staff members about their own career journeys, and a lively speed networking session where students moved between tables to meet and chat with Mott MacDonald apprentices and professionals from across the business.
The speed networking format was a highlight — students got to ask real questions and hear honest, first-hand accounts of what it is actually like to start a career through an apprenticeship at a company like Mott MacDonald. It was informal, energetic, and genuinely inspiring. We were very proud of how confidently and professionally our young people engaged throughout the day.
Apprenticeships: More Than You Might Think
One of the most important messages from the day was just how far apprenticeships have come. They are no longer simply an alternative to university — they are a genuine, high-quality career route in their own right, and they come at every level. At Mott MacDonald, apprenticeships are available across a broad range of levels:
- Level 2 and Level 3 apprenticeships — equivalent to GCSEs and A-Levels, providing a solid foundation in a specialist trade or technical discipline while earning a wage from day one.
- Higher apprenticeships (Level 4 and 5) — equivalent to a foundation degree or HNC/HND, offering deeper technical knowledge and professional development.
- Degree apprenticeships (Level 6) — a full bachelor’s degree, earned while working, with no tuition fees and a salary throughout.
- Masters degree apprenticeships (Level 7) — postgraduate level study combined with professional practice, leading to a master’s qualification.
Across all of these levels, apprentices earn a real salary, gain professional experience, and leave with a recognised qualification — often with no student debt at all. For students interested in engineering, construction, design, or project management, apprenticeships with a company of Mott MacDonald’s scale and reputation represent a truly outstanding start to a career.
A Huge Advantage for Laurus Ryecroft Students
As part of our growing partnership with Mott MacDonald, we are delighted to share that Laurus Ryecroft students will benefit from two exclusive advantages when applying for Mott MacDonald apprenticeships:
- Priority access: Our students will receive Mott MacDonald apprenticeship vacancies one full month before they are advertised nationally, giving them a significant head start.
- Guaranteed interview: Any student who achieves the DEC Award will be guaranteed an interview for Mott MacDonald apprenticeship positions. This is a direct reward for the hard work and commitment our students put into their DEC qualification.
These benefits are a fantastic reflection of the trust Mott MacDonald has in our DEC students and the quality of the programme we deliver together. We hope they serve as a real motivation for students as they work towards their DEC Award.
Get in Touch
If your child is interested in learning more about the DEC programme, apprenticeship pathways, or what a career with a company like Mott MacDonald could look like, please do not hesitate to get in touch with school. We would be very happy to talk it through with you.