Students across our Engineering and Computing courses automatically become Institute of Technology Learners and can take advantage of the facilities and opportunities provided by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT).
Find out more about the successes our students have had with GBSIoT over the past year.
1. Medal success at WorldSkills UK National finals
Students and graduates representing the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT) brought home four medals at this year’s WorldSkills UK National Finals in Wales.
Three GBSIoT teams competed in the Industry 4.0 category, joining competitors from across the UK to showcase the collaborative power of partners and draw on the combined strength of BCU, Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet), Aston University Engineering Academy and University College Birmingham.
BCU final-year Engineering student Joe Blackman won the gold medal alongside BMet graduate Engineering Apprentice James Baker. In addition, BCU Automotive Engineering Technology graduate Ashraf Ali Khan Royalpet received the bronze medal alongside Aston University Engineering Academy student Salman Ifran.
WorldSkills UK competitions promote excellence in over 40 skills areas, supporting young people in developing the high-quality technical skills they need to thrive in their careers, while helping employers grow through access to world-class talent.
Participating in the skills competitions forms an important part of the GBSIoT approach, enabling learners to test themselves under pressure, apply advanced technical knowledge and gain experiences that support progression and employability.
2. Placement students succeed at industry events
BCU student Joe Blackman, who has carried out a professional placement year at GBSIOT, has been awarded first place at the Connected Curriculum Skills Summit 2025, hosted at Siemens’ UK Headquarters in Manchester.
Joe represented both GBSIoT and his university with a project focused on workplace accessibility, titled “Redesigning the Festo Pick-by-Light Manual Station for Improved Accessibility.” The competition brought together students from across the country to showcase innovation in engineering and design.
Joe’s project explored how industrial workstations could be redesigned to better support users with disabilities. With 8% of the UK population living with a disability, the project aimed to identify existing limitations and propose practical improvements using Siemens NX and associated tools.
Using NX Human, Joe created digital human models based on German anthropometric data at the 5th, 50th, and 95th percentiles. A wheelchair model was also developed using official dimensional standards. These models were used to simulate user interaction with the existing iPICK workstation and to perf orm a comfort analysis, referencing criteria developed by Porter (1998).
Findings from the initial evaluation showed that the original design caused discomfort for seated users. Joe then proposed a series of redesigns, including a side-mounted iPICK module at seated height, a drawer runner system for extendable access, and audio functionality for part announcements using Flicker. The revised design was simulated using Mechatronics Concept Designer and re-evaluated for comfort and usability.
Joe’s success at the Skills Summit reflects the strength of applied learning opportunities at GBSIoT and the value of industry partnerships in preparing students for future careers.
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3. Students win Gold and Silver at GBSIoT Connect Event
In May, the annual GBSIoT Poster Connect event brought together students from across the partnership to showcase their Industry 4.0 projects at the GBSIoT Hub in Birmingham. The event featured innovative work focused on digital twins, IoT systems, and smart manufacturing, giving students the opportunity to present their ideas to industry experts and academic staff.
This year’s first prize went to Thabani Dzimba (BCU) for developing a real-time IoT workpiece tracking system using Node-RED, RFID technology, and computer vision.
Thabani’s project aimed to develop a low-cost, real-time tracking system combining RFID technology and SSIM-based computer vision to monitor slot availability and workpiece movement. Built on a Raspberry Pi and visualised through a modular Node-RED dashboard, the solution also incorporated MQTT communication, a custom-designed enclosure, and local data logging using SQLite — all optimised for varying factory conditions.
Judges from Siemens plc and Didactic Services praised the technical quality and clarity of the presentations, noting the creativity and problem-solving skills demonstrated by all participants.
4. Automotive Engineering student secures role after placement
Ashraf Ali Khan Royalpet’s journey from postgraduate study to employment highlights how practical experience and strong industry connections can shape a successful career.
Originally from India, Ashraf completed his Bachelor’s in Electronics and Communication Engineering, where he developed a keen interest in embedded systems and automation. This passion led him to pursue an MSc in Automotive Engineering at BCU, focusing on electric vehicles, control systems and future mobility technologies.
Ashraf first heard about GBSIoT through his professors, who encouraged him to apply for a placement with the Hub. The GBSIoT team, led by Mairi Kerin, recognised his potential and provided consistent support.
During his placement, Ashraf took on the role of Teaching Assistant and Lab Demonstrator, supporting students with Industry 4.0 systems such as PLCs, sensors, and IoT tools. The hands-on experience at the Hub equipped Ashraf with both technical and professional skills. He emphasizes that GBSIoT helped him prepare for his career, providing practical exposure and building his confidence to tackle real-world challenges.
After completing his course, Ashraf secured a role as Customer Support Engineer at PowTechnology, an employer that GBSIoT connected with through an Innovate UK project, where he is gaining experience with industrial IoT systems and customer-focused solutions. Reflecting on his journey, Ashraf notes: “My experience at GBSIoT was very positive and supportive. It gave me the opportunities, knowledge, and confidence I needed to succeed.”
