Gordon Harris from Solihull has worked in engineering for almost thirty years, and has just gained long-wished-for academic qualifications – boosting his career – after graduating with the first cohort from the Applied Engineering Programme (AEP) at WMG, University of Warwick.

Harris has been an employee at Jaguar for twenty-eight years, most recently for the Advanced Manufacturing Engineering team at Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). Born and raised in Solihull, he always dreamed of getting a university education, but wasn’t able to fit in studying whilst working a full-time job.

JLR sponsored Gordon to enrol on the AEP, a four year part-time specialised WMG degree course, in 2013. Since beginning the course, he has been promoted to Lead Engineer for a JLR project.

“The learning gained during the last four years has helped me to achieve my promotion and additional responsibilities with my current role,” said Gordon. “The course has encouraged my development and has given me greater insight across more aspects of the business, which has helped me with my day to day role.”

The part-time AEP course enables people who already work in industry, of all ages and backgrounds, to gain a formal engineering qualification, offering a flexible and non-traditional path into university education.

Researchers from WMG are working with staff and students from a local school on a project designed to help get the students interested in engineering and the technology involved in developing an electric-powered racing car.

Darren Stewardson, Materials Technologist at WMG, and Dr Steve Maggs, Principal Teaching Fellow at WMG, have been working with North Leamington School to develop an electric car which will eventually be built to compete in IET Formula 24, a national competition held at Goodwood, for students aged 11-16.

Warwick Racing, a team of final year mechanical, manufacturing, automotive and electronic engineering students competed with their single seater racing car in the annual IMechE Formula Student Competition at Silverstone this month.

The 2012 competition was the largest ever, with 134 teams from 34 different countries taking part. The Warwick team placed very highly in a number of events, achieving 3rd for their Business Presentation, 9th for Costing, and were nominated for the Airbus Teamwork Award. Overall they ranked 10th among UK teams. There was bitter disappointment however when a collision two laps before the end forced them to withdraw from the Endurance event which carried the major points.

However, the team weren't down for long as they have managed to secure another year’s sponsorship from Bosch Engineering worth €6000 and Bosch were able to directly recruit 3 (possibly 4) of the team for Graduate positions. The team’s professional approach also means that they are likely to maintain a number of other sponsorship agreements.

WMG was proud to be an official supporter of the Motorsport Industry Association's (MIA) Summer Reception at the House of Lords on 2 July.

The MIA is the world's leading trade association for the motorsport, performance engineering, services and tuning sectors and the annual Summer Reception features the presentation of the prestigious and unique Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry.

Staff and students from WMG have been visiting local schools in order to inspire and encourage young people to think about a career in engineering, technology or research and development.

Continuing our programme of engaging with schools through on-site events, visits and external events, staff and students have so far been into schools in the Leamington and Coventry areas to highlight research projects undertaken through Warwick Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre (WIMRC), and student projects with the help of the undergraduate engineering students.

A team of engineering students at the University of Warwick are just weeks away from completing development of a ‘formula student’ racing car.

Warwick Racing, which consists of 12 final year engineering students, had been tasked with designing, manufacturing and testing a single seater WR1 racing car which they will enter into the annual Formula Student Competition at Silverstone in July.

Dr Steve Maggs, Principal Fellow has been awarded the Rowbotham Medal for an outstanding contribution from a young person to the development or innovative use of materials for automotive applications.

The Medal was presented at a ceremony hosted by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining as part of the Institute's Medal and Prizes for 2010.

A Formula 3 racing car designed by researchers at WMG at the University has just received two significant accolades confirming its reputation as the ultimate green racing car.

Just two weeks ago the car was selected to be one the green technologies presented to The Prince of Wales during the Birmingham leg of HRH’s Start tour of the UK. Now today, Thursday 23rd September, the car has also been shortlisted for the THE (Times Higher) award for Outstanding Engineering Research Team of the Year.

University of Warwick WMG Research Engineer Stephen Lambert will unveil the WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield racing car at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend introducing electric hybrid cars to club racing.

The WorldFirst Hybrid Westfield Racing car showcases an innovative drivetrain which is capable of propelling the vehicle from 0-60 miles per hour in under 4 seconds. This incredible acceleration is achieved through the use of an innovative four wheel drive system which increases the available traction. A formula one style “push to pass” button controls the power generated by the two 75kW motors which, in turn, use a formula one style inboard suspension to drive the front wheels independently of the 195bhp turbo charged engine, a first for Westfield Sports Cars.