Institution news
The University of Strathclyde has set up the Engineering Academy, funded by Scottish Funding Council/Students Awards Agency for Scotland, to meet employers’ needs for engineering graduates with appropriate work experience and practical skills.
The University of Strathclyde has almost 10 applicants for every one of its engineering degree places, meaning that only those with the top academic results will make the cut. This leaves many strong candidates, particularly those with practical skills, without the opportunity to complete an engineering degree.
Yet companies are crying out for qualified and talented engineers. They particularly need students to have relevant work experience and “workplace” skills, so that they are ready and able to make an immediate impact in their graduate jobs.
The Engineering Academy aims to solve both these problems. It is a collaboration between the University of Strathclyde and partner colleges and industry, which provides a new pathway to BEng Honours or MEng programmes in a range of engineering disciplines. The students apply to the University of Strathclyde and are carefully selected, with an emphasis on encouraging those from disadvantaged areas, mature students and those who may have missed out on the traditional academic route.
The Engineering Academy then places them in one of the partner colleges for their first year to complete an enhanced HNC. Those who achieve the required performance will be guaranteed transfer to an undergraduate degree within one of the Faculty of Engineering departments.
The Engineering Academy works with industry and the students to secure work placements and sponsorship – both factors that have proved successful in securing job offers and successful careers. Students will be able to do paid summer placements after the end of the second year, and the links with business will give them mentoring and professional development advice.
Local employers have proved extremely supportive and are keen to back this initiative. Allied Vehicles were first to offer work placements and sponsorship, and Ampcontrols, Doosan Babcock and many others are now coming forward to benefit.
Paul Nelson, MD of Allied Vehicles said: “We are a Glasgow based company who manufacture and sell across the UK and wish to expand into Europe. We can only do this with innovative design and production methods which deliver quality products that our customers can buy. At the core of this are skilled engineers and Allied are committed to developing and expanding engineering opportunity. The Engineering Academy is a core part of our commitment to engineering education.”
The Institution is keen to support the Academy and will give affiliate membership to the students while completing their first year in College. Sandra Mulligan, Business Development Manager for Scotland says: “The Institution is keen to support wider access to the engineering profession, to benefit the individuals and help organisations compete in the global marketplace.”
This is the second year of the Engineering Academy scheme, and the first cohort has finished their enhanced HNC, moved into the second year of their chosen degree, and are looking for sponsorships and work placements.
Stewart McKinlay is Associate Director of the Engineering Academy. He explained: “Shortages of skilled engineers will continue; delaying projects and escalating labour costs. Employers such as Allied who partner with the Engineering Academy will need less recruitment from the open market, minimising talent shortages and associated expenses. It’s also an incredibly valuable vehicle for employers who have headcount caps but know that they need to grow their own workforce.”
The Engineering Academy is a holistic solution to providing industry with the workforce that they need to flourish, both in terms of numbers and skills.
Find out more
If you are interested in finding out more about the Engineering Academy please contact
Stewart McKinlay, and for details about professional development contact
Sandra Mulligan.