THE University of Ulster has teamed up with some of the most successful and high-growth companies in Northern Ireland to showcase the skills of local engineering students and boost career prospects.
Huhtamaki Ltd, Lurgan; B/E Aerospace, Kilkeel; Crossland Tankers Ltd, Swatragh; Elite Electronic Systems, Enniskillen, Terex Corporation, Omagh and Intelesens Ltd, Belfast are working with the university on the initiative which sees first year students competing in engineering challenges.
Professor Colin Turner, head of School of Engineering, said: “It is extremely encouraging to have the support of these six leading companies in Northern Ireland. Many of the student engineers will undertake their industrial placement with these companies in just over a year’s time.
“The University of Ulster is committed to producing highly talented graduates who can meet the demands of industry, secure valuable career opportunities and ultimately make a positive contribution to the local economy. Strong relationships between these high-growth companies and the School of Engineering will help our student engineers to develop essential skills.”
Also at the UU, students are using their expertise in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to address a growing skills gap in classrooms across Northern Ireland.
As the need for GIS professionals has grown across a number of sectors, a skills gap at post-primary level, which has a knock-on effect on industry, has emerged. Professor Adrian Moore, head of the School of Environmental Science, said: “As the largest provider of GIS education on the island of Ireland, the University of Ulster is harnessing the expertise of its staff and students to help address the skills shortage in the classroom, particularly in areas of deprivation and economic need.
“Our Education and Environmental Science students are going into schools equipping, educating and enthusing teachers and pupils about this crucial element within Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects.”