Tree-shaped PC wins Dyson prize - 08-11-2007 - 15:58

A computer shaped like a tree has won the prestigious Dyson Student Design Award in Ireland.

National College of Art and Design student Laura Cauldwell's design called Cultivate the Sustainable Living Computer took the first prize of €2,000 (£1,394) in the award competition set up by designer and entrepreneur James Dyson.

All the computer's components are arranged on the tree's branches.

The mouse, speakers, memory cards processor and battery can be individually accessed and removed to return to the supplier for an upgrade, WEEE compliant recycling or remanufacture.

Aluminium leaves on the branches not only add to the tree-like appearance but also help cool down each unit.

She told PA: "This design promotes and enhances sustainable living. I want to encourage people to think about the environmental impact of the products they use and about their lifestyle in general."

Second place went to an indoor toy to exercise children and combat obesity designed by Marion Barry of Limerick University.

Kate Corish, also of Limerick, took third place for her device for manually handling sheet construction materials.

Brown announces £15k grant for apprentice engineers - 01-11-2007 - 11:04

Prime minister Gordon Brown committed himself to advancing vocational training, making grants of up to £15,000 available for high skill apprenticeships such as engineering.

Apprentices will be able to apply for grants from £3,000 which will be paid through a Skills Account to their employers to shoulder the cost of their training.

As well as making more money available, Mr Brown announced a system to help match young people with business apprenticeships in the same way potential students use Ucas to find a university place.

"Every young person should know that they have something to aim for in their education," he said.

"So at age 18 or 19, each should graduate from school, college or an apprenticeship with good qualifications or an apprenticeship certificate.

"To drive aspirations up, we will ensure that all those reaching 18 or 19 who want to go onto an advanced apprenticeship or further education and training have the resources they need."

Top Scot engineer: ditch export model - 01-11-2007 - 11:03

The man who rescued a Scottish company and created 40 new jobs advised manufacturers and engineers to create more jobs overseas to protect their UK company.

Clyde Blowers chairman Jim McColl, who won the accolade of Scotland's top business leader for his rescue of 450 jobs at failing Weir Pumps in May, advised companies to set up bases abroad instead of relying on the export model.

The engineering entrepreneur told the Herald: "In manufacturing you have to try as much as you can to move away from export type manufacturing, and try to have a base in some of the markets you are in."

As part of the process of finding bases abroad, Clyde Pumps visited various Chinese companies to set up a joint venture.

He added: "It gives us the flexibility. Weir Pumps was more of an exporter, and I think to be more competitive and to export more of those products you need complementary products manufactured at lower cost. We are setting up that infrastructure."