Buckinghamshire New University launches Level 6 Resilience and Emergencies Professional apprenticeship

Buckinghamshire New University (BNU) has announced it is launching the new Level 6 Resilience and Emergencies Professional (REP) apprenticeship this September. It is aimed at professionals working in Category 1 or 2 organisations (as defined by the Contingencies Act 2004) as well as those from the private and social purpose sector who manage risk, hazards and response to major incidents.

The 3.3-year programme with an additional end-point-assessment, which incorporates a degree qualification, will be taught remotely utilising virtual learning technology meaning that location will not be a barrier to professional development.

The academic team are all experts in their field who are experienced both as responders and as academics. Learners will be able to apply academic knowledge and new learning to their roles straightaway to benefit their organisation’s resilience and emergencies planning activity.

The course fee is funded in many cases by the Apprenticeship Levy and non-levy paying employers can receive up to 95% funding towards the cost of the apprenticeship.

The topics are wide ranging and varied including, but not limited to:

• Mitigating risks and understanding risk specific to your organisation but also more widely in society
• Planning for emergencies and preparing through audits, exercises and recruitment of volunteers (as required)
• Response, either through coordination or understanding the key processes and elements for a response i.e. family assistance, humanitarian centres and crisis communications
• Developing locally appropriate ways to avoid disruptive events alongside recovery from them
• Ensuring organisations satisfy their statutory obligations relating to hazards and threats.

The programme is interactive and led by industry-informed academics who have field experience in response and recovery. Several are published and work with governments and organisations to advise, consult and respond ensuring currency of knowledge and understanding of the reality of the topics covered on the programme.  

Contact jack.bellamy@bnu.ac.uk for more details.

To read similar articles, check out our People and Skills channel.