The UK electronic systems industry is worth £78 billion ($130bn) and employs 850,000 people in well-paid, skilled jobs. It is predicted to grow by 55% by 2020 and has a hub in Cambridge, with world leading firms including ARM, CSR, and Plastic Logic based in the area.
But a decreased awareness of the industry among British school students is putting this growth at risk, with applications for higher education courses in electronic engineering down 29% since 2002.
To counter this, the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) has teamed up with leading education charity the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) on its Go4SET programme and with some of the region’s top firms to create an east-of-England competition for school students aged 12-14. These challenges aim to stimulate interest in and raise awareness of electronic engineering as an exciting subject and rewarding career path.
Entitled “Our Electronics Environment”, the 10-week Go4SET project will demonstrate the relevance of pursuing science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects to careers in electronics.
Each participating team of six students with a teacher will be sponsored by a company and united with an industry mentor to help empower the students to broaden their skills, develop analytical thinking and make informed decisions on future career and study options.
Wendy Daniell, UKESF programme director said: “Our partnership with EDT is invaluable to the success of this project and uses a proven formula to engage with young students. It builds on both an established schools’ programme run by EDT and a successful pilot of the project run last year.
“This event in Cambridge is the start of the nationwide roll-out of the project, and we’re looking to partner with local firms in each region to reach even more students.”
The pilot took place in Bristol and saw teams design electronic netball bibs that change lettering automatically; futuristic ways of watching films; holographic shopping assistants; and smart watches.
Indro Mukerjee, CEO of Plastic Logic and UKESF chairman said: “The UK is currently a global leader in the electronics sector and the products we design and manufacture are used in many of the world’s leading brands, including smartphones, tablets and games consoles.
“For this success to continue we need, as an industry, to reach out to young minds and inspire them from an early age to learn more about the industry and the exciting and varied careers it can offer.”
CSR’s VP of platform hardware design, Nick Salter, who contributed to the development of the Bristol pilot, said: “We are sponsoring three teams in the east of England challenge. Like many leading technology firms based here, we recognise our shared responsibility in nurturing the next generation of talented engineers so that we can remain at the forefront of our industry.
"But this isn’t the only benefit we see from getting involved. It also provides opportunities for our engineers to further their communication and project management skills through team mentoring. Sponsoring this project is a win-win for us, and I’d strongly recommend it to other employers.”
Despite UCAS data showing a significant rise in demand for engineering and technology courses since 2002, there was a 29 per cent drop in British applicants to electronics engineering courses between 2002 and 2012. The gender gap is also significant with females typically making up less than 8 per cent (1 in 12) of applicants.
The Go4SET scheme is designed to raise awareness among younger students in a way that appeals to both males and females and the pilot project saw four mixed teams, four girls-only teams and two boys-only teams.
See also Companies sought for project to inspire students' interest in electronics
About UKESF
The UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is a charity registered in Scotland (SC043940).
A collaboration between public bodies, private companies and UK universities, it was co-founded in 2010 by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), NMI, Semta and industry partners. UKESF addresses the threat of the diminishing engineering skills capability in the UK electronics sector. Its principal aim is to secure a sustainable supply of good quality, industry-ready graduate engineers for the industry to maintain and grow its global leadership position. UKESF is achieving this aim through an industry-specific programme which provides opportunities for employers to engage with young people at school and university through to graduate employment.
The UKESF programme currently focuses on three activities:
• Encouraging electronics employers to engage with schools to raise awareness of the industry and range of career opportunities;
• Electronics summer schools to attract pre-university school students to degree study and careers in electronic engineering; and
• The UKESF Scholarship Scheme which links undergraduate students with companies for sponsorship and work experience opportunities to encourage their progression into careers within the industry.
For further information visit www.ukesf.org
About EDT
The Engineering Development Trust (EDT) is an independent registered charity whose mission is to encourage young people to fulfil their potential through careers in science, engineering and technology. The aim is to inspire and motivate young people into choosing a SET career by giving them the opportunity to experience real life exposure to industry, business and higher education. The awareness gained empowers students to make informed choices at key stages of their education.
The EDT is a leading national provider of work related learning programmes targeting 12-21 year olds, bringing companies and universities together with schools and students to work on real projects. It comprises of 6 programmes; First Edition, Go4SET, Open Industry, Engineering Education Scheme, Headstart and The Year in Industry.
For further information on the EDT visit www.etrust.org.uk
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For further information and reader enquiries:
Wendy Daniell, UK Electronics Skills Foundation
Tel: +44 (0)1506 401210
E-mail: [email protected]
Fax: +44 (0)1506 420609
Web: www.ukesf.org
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Twitter: @robashwell20
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