University supports calls for more engineering graduates

A BIRMINGHAM academic has backed inventor Sir James Dyson’s call for Britain to produce more engineers.
 
Sir James, the vacuum cleaner tycoon, has warned more companies could switch their engineering facilities abroad if Britain does not produce more graduate-calibre engineers.

It is estimated there could be around 37,000 vacancies for engineers in the UK this year and with skills declining this could rise to 200,00 within the next few years.

Dr Peter Rayson, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment at Birmingham City University, said more students should consider studying engineering at degree level.
 
Dr Rayson, founder of Birmingham TechFest event, which aims to encourage youngsters to take an interest in technology, said: “Nine out of 10 firms employ people skilled in science, technology, engineering and maths, and 40% of employers across all sectors need appropriately qualified staff to design and innovate new products and services.
 
“Our students could find themselves working with leading global technology companies such as Microsoft, Apple and Cisco or involved in projects such as researching the use of algae to create an alternative fuel, and collaborating with East Ends Foods Ltd to develop an urban farm on the site of the iconic former HP Sauce factory.”
 
He said the university promoted employability within all its courses and the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment was the largest deliverer of industry-based programmes within the West Midlands.

It has worked with more than 4,000 companies to develop commercial assistance and training in the areas of automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, media technology, environmental, bio fuel, electronics and aerospace.
 
Technology giant Cisco Systems is one of the companies working with the university. It has employed more graduates from Birmingham City University than any other university in the UK.

This year, of the 23 places available on its highly competitive graduate training programme, six have been given to BCU graduates.

Of these six, four were hired as Associate Network Consulting Engineers (ANCE) who are currently training in Belgium and two who have been hired as Associate Systems Engineers (ASE) and are being trained in the UK.

Following the training, which lasts between four-11 months, the graduates will be guaranteed jobs with Cisco Systems, which employs more than 65,000 staff globally.

Sedef Buyukataman, Cisco’s University Relations Manager, said: “We have an excellent working partnership with the leadership and Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment at Birmingham City University and really use this relationship as a benchmark for all our targeted universities.”