Record intake of chemical engineers for UK unis - 24-10-2007 - 11:08

A record number of students have signed up for chemical engineering courses in 2007, according to Ucas 2007 admission figures.

A total of 1,465 students have opted to study the discipline at UK universities, with the rise continuing a trend.

Since 2001 applications to study chemical engineering have risen by 70 per cent, with the last six years alone seeing a rise of 40 per cent.

Dr David Brown, chief executive at the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) told ProcessingTalk that the good news would be good for the industry.

He said: "This rise proves that more young people are recognizing what a worthwhile and rewarding career a chemical engineering degree can support."

One of the reasons cited for the growth is the important role of chemical engineers.

Head of Chemical Engineering at Strathclyde University, Dr Carl Schaschke said: "The upturn in interest in chemical engineering nationally is a reflection of the changing role and unique skills of the chemical engineer.

"Now, more than at any time in the past, chemical engineers can be found central to meeting the societal needs of energy provision, health care and tackling head-on crucial environmental issues that affect everyone".

Engineering and construction staff 'most wanted' - 22-10-2007 - 16:03

Engineering and construction employers are looking to fill more positions than any other sector in Scotland, according to new figures from the Bank of Scotland Labour Market Report.

Both permanent and part time engineering and construction workers were the most sought after employees, figures revealed.

The study also showed a general rise of permanent and temporary staff appointments across Scotland, though the rise was not as high as earlier in the year.

While salaries grew in September, the growth was also slower than in the summer.

Bank of Scotland group economist Tim Crawford said: "The jobs market in Scotland remains tight and skill shortages were seen across a range of sectors in September. Employment continues to increase in Scotland's major cities."

He added that while growth rates were slightly down, Scotland was still performing above the UK average.

The labour market barometer for Scotland fell from the June high of 64.4 to 60.6, with any figure above 50 signifying expansion. The UK average, of 59.6, was slightly below Scotland's.

Government 'needs to double £1bn for Stem skills' - 11-10-2007 - 15:59

Business leaders have called on the government to double its £1 billion commitment to developing science, technology, engineering and maths (Stem) skills in the country.

While the business leaders welcomed government's pledge, which follows a review by Lord Sainsbury into UK competitiveness, they said that the amounts involved were not enough.

Confederation of British Industry head of innovation Tim Bradshaw said: "The £1bn only amounts to an extra £300m over the plan's three-year lifespan."

"A budget of £600 million a year is needed, which is double what has effectively been announced."

Investment into developing the Stem skills that are essential to future of the UK industry and to counter the skills shortage is essential, said the IT sector skills council e-Skills UK.

"We cannot underestimate the importance and energy we need to put behind Stem education if we are going to maintain our position in a global economy, much less accelerate ourselves ahead of other countries," said chief executive Karen Price.

UK engineers 'hard to find' - 03-10-2007 - 11:03

One UK test and measurement manufacturer was forced to look abroad for engineering staff after less than ten per cent of its job applicants were from within the UK.

Thurlby Thandar, based in Huntingdon, was looking to take on engineering students and, after only five or six UK applicants approached the company for the job, the company appointed two overseas engineering students.

The company said that skilled workers were hard to find and that the market was getting more difficult as competition from the Far East heated up.

However, according to Mark Edwards of Thurlby Thandar, the maker, which was a spin-off from Sinclair, consumer trust in its technology - in particular to the PL series of bench power supplies - is what keeps it going.

He said: "Why are people still buying it after 29 years? We went to the customers and they said they trusted the technology and the brand."

Pendle firm relocates, expands - 02-10-2007 - 12:37

An engineering company in the north-west is looking to hire more employees as it moves to new premises.

Fort Vale Engineering of Pendle is relocating to a former LG Philips glassworks site as business booms and as the firm expands, it is looking to take on new workers.

Human resources manager Pam Housley told the local paper Pendle Today: "While many of the remaining manufacturers in the region are contracting, we are expanding and the business is booming. We are currently advertising for ten skilled CNC setter/operators and there are other vacancies within the business too."

She added that the expansion to the new site will allow the company to keep up with growing demand and that though the move is hectic and complex, it is also very exciting.

It will take various weeks for the firm's existing equipment to be moved to the new site.

But Ms Housley also showed the company is proud to be expanding against a backdrop of businesses contracting or closing down.

She said: "So many manufacturers have either gone out of business or moved abroad but we have managed to develop and grow stronger."

The company is also dealing with the skills shortage by giving more time to training existing staff, she added.