Top progressive companies are being sought to help develop the engineers of the future.
The University of Derby has launched a new Masters Degree (MSc) in Innovative Engineering Solutions, beginning in September 2014, for which 50 employers are needed to offer a placement period to students.
It is part of a £1.3million initiative to help plug a UK skills gap in vital engineering skills – and give students a free postgraduate education.
Priority for the course will be given to students from backgrounds where entering higher education is not a typical choice and to groups under-represented in engineering, including women.
Angela Dean, Head of School of Engineering and Technology, said: “This is a major opportunity for employers to play a vital role in helping to provide the skills necessary for students to flourish.
“They will also be influencing the development of an innovative new programme of study and be able to develop a training programme that suits the needs of their organisation.
“It will also provide companies with access to the latest advanced manufacturing, research and testing equipment at the University of Derby’s Institute for Innovation in Sustainable Engineering (IISE).
“In addition, companies involved will benefit from a free, structured mentoring support programme for their managers who support the students on work placement.”
For students, the Masters is a free one-year, full-time programme which includes a six-month paid work placement and research project with an employer which focuses on developing expertise in solving technical problems important for the business.
The programme was born out of Higher Education Funding Council for England’s (HEFCE) national £25million Postgraduate Support Scheme (PSS). Derby was one of more than 40 UK universities to share in the fund.
It aims to support 20 pilot projects – run jointly by universities and businesses – helping more than 2,800 first degree students into postgraduate education, particularly those less likely to progress to this level.
The University of Derby’s own project is worth £1.3million, with £598,933 coming from the PSS fund and the remainder from the University itself and commercial partners.
Derby will also deliver an exciting part-time MSc Professional Engineering (Online), as part of the fund.
Employers wanting to find out more should contact the project administrator on 01332 592715 or email PSSEng@derby.ac.uk
They can also find out more by visiting employer information events which take place at the University of Derby Corporate’s Enterprise Centre on Bridge Street in Derby (DE1 3LD) from 8-9.30am on Tuesday, April 8 and 4-6pm on Wednesday, May 21.
Source: University of Derby
