Engineering news
The Institution of Engineering and Technology and its partners, which include Siemens and BAE Systems, are to invest an extra £1.2 million in the IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship scheme which supports the UK's future engineers.
The scheme, now in its second year, provides winners with at least £1,000 per academic year. Winners also benefit from mentoring and work experience placements through the IET’s extensive networks.
This academic year, 69 scholarships have been awarded to students who started either a masters or an undergraduate engineering degree at a UK based university in the autumn of 2014, and nearly half of these have been awarded to female candidates (42%).
William Webb, IET president, said: “The number of women in the engineering work force is appallingly low, so we are really pleased that so many young women are making use of the financial help that is available via our scholarships.
“However, it’s not just women we need – it has been estimated that approximately 87,000 new engineers will be needed each year until 2020 to address the current skills shortage. It has never been more important to encourage young people to study engineering so that they are able to follow rewarding careers and, ultimately, protect the UK’s economic prosperity.”
The investment is being made in collaboration with the Belling Charitable Settlement, the ERA Foundation and The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851, Siemens and BAE Systems.
The IET Diamond Jubilee Scholarship programme is open to all UK students hoping to achieve 3 As at A Level, 3 A grade Advanced Highers, 5 A grade Highers or an International Baccalaureate Diploma at 36 points or above and who are applying to join an IET accredited engineering or technology degree course.
Prospective students wishing to apply for a Diamond Jubilee Scholarship can apply online at www.theiet.org/diamond.