University News Last updated 20 December 2013
Following a report by EngineeringUK revealing a shortfall of young people undertaking engineering training, Birmingham City University is to host a motorsport masterclass next month with some of the world’s leading professionals from the motorsports industry highlighting career options in high performance automotive engineering.
Confirmed speakers for the event on Wednesday 8 January at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment, include Ulrich Baretzky, Head of Engine Technology at Audi Sport, John Iley, Performance Director of Caterham Formula One’s racing team and Andy Green, Driver for the Bloodhound SSC Land Speed Record Project.
The free-to-attend masterclass at Birmingham City University is open to school, college and university students as well as teaching staff and will provide an insight into working life in the motorsports industry and outline the latest developments in racing technology.
Professor Adrian Cole, Faculty Director of Innovation and Enterprise at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Technology, Engineering and the Environment, said: “Engaging with the younger generation and letting them know about the excitement of careers in this sector will mean we can sooner address the shortfall of youngsters taking up engineering training in the UK.
“Through presentations plus informal and interactive Q&A sessions, the speakers at the masterclass will give their insights into both the pressures and the rewards of working with the latest technologies at race venues across the world.”
The EngineeringUK report findings were the basis of a roundtable meeting held at No 11 Downing Street earlier this month discussing the imperatives of a skilled engineering talent pipeline. Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: “I want the next decade to be the decade of the engineer. In doing this we’ll build a more balanced and sustainable economy delivering high skills and innovation with engineers of all kinds at its heart.”
For more information on the Birmingham City University masterclass, contact Adrian Cole.