University News Last updated 16 August 2011
A Birmingham academic is backing Sir James Dyson’s call for Britain to produce more engineers.
Sir James, the vacuum cleaner tycoon has warned that companies would begin to move their engineering facilities abroad if Britain doesn’t produce more graduate-calibre engineers. Speaking on Monday 15 August, the former industrial designer claimed that there were “37,000 vacancies this year and that this will soon go up to around 200,000.”
And as this year’s A Level results are released on Thursday 18 August, Dr Peter Rayson, Associate Dean of the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment at Birmingham City University, is urging would-be students to consider studying engineering at degree level.
'Missing out on a fulfilling career'
This year competition for places at university is expected to be tougher than ever as young people attempt to find places before the tuition fees increase in 2012. However Birmingham City University expects to have some places available on engineering and technology courses. Dr Rayson, who founded Birmingham TechFest, a festival held this summer to highlight the region’s wealth of technical innovation, knowledge and skills, thinks many young people could be missing out on a fulfilling career by not opting for an engineering or technical qualification.
Dr Rayson said: “Nine out of ten firms employ people skilled in science, technology, engineering and maths, and 40 per cent 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.
“The University promotes employability within all its courses and the Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment is the largest deliverer of industry-based programmes within the West Midlands. It has worked with over 4,000 companies to develop commercial assistance and training in the areas of automotive, manufacturing, healthcare, media technology, environmental, bio fuel, electronics and aerospace. All courses are accredited by one or more professional bodies.”
Clearing hotline
Birmingham City University will open its ‘Clearing’ hotline at 8am on Thursday 18 August, for anyone who has not gained the A Level grades needed for their chosen courses. The University will have a dedicated team of advisers available who will be able to help prospective students who have just missed out on the grades needed for the degree they want to study. The Clearing hotline number is 0121 331 6777 and prospective students are advised to visit the UCAS website and the University's dedicated webpages to find out what is available in Clearing, and to ensure that they have enough points to get onto the course of their choice.