Two of the UK’s most promising young Engineering students have been selected for a work placement in Oppenweiler, Germany. Murrelektronik is one of the leading worldwide manufacturers of power distribution components and systems for industrial automation. In October, the Wigan UTC students will become part of the Murrelektronik manufacturing team and gain an insight into how over 42,000 products and components are produced for industries and market segments including Machine Building and Plant Engineering, Food & Beverage, Processing & Packaging, Automotive, Warehousing & Logistics.
The UK branch of Murrelektronik has an ongoing partnership with Wigan UTC. Murrelektronik is one of the UTCs international employer partners, who in addition to providing scholarship opportunities for UTC students, currently sponsor an electronics teaching laboratory at the UTC which is equipped with Murrelektronik equipment and used to support the delivery of the UTCs unique science, technology, engineering and mathematics based curriculum.
Wigan UTC students have taken part in a rigorous selection process. Starting with an initial application form and CV, followed by a written research project, assessed by UK Murrelektronik Managing Director Peter Rogers. The students also had to hone their presentation skills and present their findings to Mr Rogers and Marketing Manager Korina Parker and staff from the UTC in September 2015. Now, successful students Fiona Bradshaw and Elliot Morris, both studying a-levels and technical diplomas in engineering, have the opportunity to gain valuable practical skills to complement their academic achievements.
Commenting on the scholarship scheme Peter Rogers said “Murrelektronik UK are proud to sponsor this scholarship scheme. We see this as a wonderful opportunity for Wigan UTC students, giving them an insight into Murrelektronik and our industry. This may in turn lead them to employment as engineers in Germany or in the UK. Murrelektronik UK Marketing Manager Korina Parker went on to say “Wigan UTC is a great educational establishment which offers students options at 18 years of age to go onto University or take a high status engineering apprenticeships. We hope that our strengthening relationship with the UTC will mean one day students from Wigan secure jobs with us here in the UK or at one of our international manufacturing sites”.
Wigan UTC Academy Principal Chris Hatherall said “This is the second year Murrelektronik have sponsored a scholarship for UTC students. This is a world class and life changing opportunity for UTC students. I look forward to celebrating the successes of this year’s applicants. ” He went on to say “Last year’s participants, Charlie Kay and Thomas Hindley have both secured their futures with thanks in part to their experiences in Germany last year. Charlie has been successful in applying for one of the most competitive apprenticeship places available beating over 2000 other applicants and securing a place with Jaguar Land Rover and Thomas has secured a place at University to study automotive engineering – one or the largest manufacturing sectors that Murrelektronik supply into.”
The Wigan UTC
Recently graded by OFSTED as ‘Good’ with Outstanding Features, Wigan UTC has excellent educational facilities in the centre of Wigan, offering students the opportunity to study GCSEs, A levels alongside high quality technical qualifications. Current year 9 and year 11 students interested in joining the UTC in years 10 and 12 for September 2016 can coming along to one of the UTCs forthcoming open evenings on Wednesday 7th October and 18th November at 7:00 pm.
Picture: Peter Rogers Murrelektronik’s UK Managing Director and Korina Parker Murrelektronik’s UK Marketing Manager with Winning Students Fiona Bradshaw and Elliot Morris
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