Innovative engineering courses built in conjunction with major industry employers and experts are being launched at Nottingham Trent University from October.
Undergraduate and postgraduate courses in biomedical, electronic, sport and mechanical engineering have been designed specifically to meet the industry’s current skills gaps.
The offering also includes a new electronic engineering degree apprenticeship, allowing students to split their time between study and their employer.
Companies and supporting industries have been asked what engineering skills workforces are currently lacking and what they most need from new engineering graduates.
Global organisations and independent local firms will bring their engineering challenges to the students, setting live projects and working with them to develop solutions over the duration of their course.
The move will generate work placement opportunities for students and help to develop research collaborations between industry partners and the university.
Consultation with a range of organisations has helped to develop the new courses.
“The aim is to partner with industry every step of the way, to ensure that graduates become the very best and most employable engineer they can be,” said Professor Neil Mansfield, Head of Engineering in the university’s School of Science and Technology.
He said: “This focus will ensure that students get three to four years of industry experience before they’ve even graduated. Instead of just learning the theory of engineering from a text book or lecture, we are turning engineering education on its head.
“We want to hear from organisations or engineering departments that are seeking new solutions or creative ideas and would like the chance to work with some of the brightest engineers of the future.”
Stephanie Fernandes, Skills Lead, Institution of Engineering and Technology, said: “The move to develop these new engineering courses in conjunction with employers is hugely important and we’re pleased to have the opportunity to help shape them. Ensuring students receive the training and skills that industry is looking for right now is clearly win-win for both graduates and employers.
“The new industry-focused degree apprenticeship is particularly exciting, helping small and large-scale businesses to develop their current talent to go on to make a real impact with their employer and the sector. Overall, the innovative approach being taken by Nottingham Trent University will help to create a thriving pipeline of next generation engineers.”
Biomedical engineering students will look at current health issues and develop materials, processes and devices to help prevent or treat disease, or rehabilitate patients.
Those studying sport engineering will design and develop sport technology concepts and devices, while mechanical engineering students will analyse and solve problems by producing creative and innovative solutions using the latest technologies.
Electronic engineers, meanwhile, will develop practical solutions for the new challenges facing electronic engineering departments and companies.
University partners include bioengineering and biotech organisations; sport technology and development companies; electronic engineering businesses; and engineering institutions and bodies.
Courses will be delivered from the university’s new state-of-the-art Interdisciplinary STEM Teaching and Engagement Centre (ISTEC) – and students will have access to 3D printers, design and test laboratories, electronics workshops and CAD design suites.
