As the first cohort of students from the WMG Academy for Young Engineers, in Coventry, complete their studies, 35 students have already secured apprenticeships and jobs in industry.

The Royal Academy of Engineering has shown that the UK will need a million more engineers and technicians by 2020. That will require doubling the number of engineering apprentices every year. The WMG Academy for Young Engineers is tackling this problem by creating a link between employer, parent and university.

It is credit to the teachers at the Academy, and the students themselves, that these 35 students have secured places on apprenticeship schemes and jobs in global automotive companies, and SMEs, as well as a plethora of other industries. Some of the companies include Audi, BMW, Covcon, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes, National Grid, RBS and Tata Technologies, as well as WMG at the University of Warwick.

The WMG Academy for Young Engineers is one of 30 University Technical Colleges, which are government-funded schools that train 14-19-year-olds in science, engineering and technology. The Academy are unique in their approach to education as they provide the opportunity for students to gain a variety of business and engineering skills, which employees are seeking, in addition to studying core curriculum subjects.

Students, at the Academy, are given the opportunity to gain skills by working on projects with local and national businesses. These businesses contribute ideas, challenges and projects which add to the variety and practical applications of the Academy’s curriculum.

This business like and business led approach coupled with purpose built teaching and learning facilities, including state of the art engineering halls and CAD suites, significantly contributes to the improvement of education for students who desire a career in engineering as well as broader business sectors.

Just some of these automotive successes include, Ben Austin and Ben Lloyd from Royal Leamington Spa who secured places on Jaguar Land Rover apprenticeship schemes; Hayley McDermott from Coventry who secured a place at Audi; Jack McCreath secured an apprenticeship at Mercedes; and Charlotte Parr and Joanne Eley who will join BMW.

Engineering companies include Chris Nix from Solihull and Robin Turner from Kenilworth who secured apprenticeships with Tata Technologies, Kyan Bodinnar, Josh Goodwin and Avery Eyles from Coventry who secured apprenticeships with Covcon, Tom Moore from Coventry and Joe Benjamin from Ansty, Warwickshire will start as trainee technicians at WMG, University of Warwick.

It wasn’t just engineering or automotive companies where the students were successful, Matthew Stark from Warwick will join Mondelez in Solihull; Callum Strong will start work with RBS; and Sam Eyre will start work with National Grid.

Joe Benjamin a student at WMG Academy for Young Engineers said “Throughout my studies at the WMG Academy, I have been provided with theoretical and practical based learning. Not only this, but the academy also provided me with engineering experience which has given me the opportunity to understand how several engineering companies function.”

Nick Sale, Chief Operating Officer of Tata Technologies Europe, said:

“We are delighted to be part of WMG Academy for Young Engineers and are looking forward to having Chris and Robin joining us here at Tata Technologies.

“Tata Technologies is proud to run a Chartered Engineer accredited graduate scheme and a Ready Engineers internship programme. Our new relationship with WMG Academy further broadens our commitment to creating opportunities for the next generation of engineers.

“We wish Chris and Robin the best of luck with their apprenticeship and hope it inspires them to start a career in engineering!”

Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya Chairman of WMG said:

“I came to Britain as a graduate apprentice with Lucas Industries. My apprenticeship gave me connections and showed me that businesses needed academics who understood the real world of work. I’m delighted that three of the students from the WMG Academy will be coming to work at WMG.

“My apprenticeship shaped my entire career. At WMG, I’ve sought to give others the same chances. That’s why workplace learning and technical education is at the very core of WMGs purpose. It is fantastic to see the WMG Academy for Young Engineers helping young people to secure apprenticeships that will help them establish them in the engineering world.”

Kate Tague, Executive Principal of the WMG Academy for Young Engineers Trust said:

“Many congratulations to all of our students, especially those who have already secured apprenticeships with businesses. We aim to make sure every course; every programme is highly sought after by apprentices and firms alike.

The response from parents, students and employers has been incredible. So great is the response, we’re opening another academy in Solihull this September.”

The WMG Academy aims to create a clear route for every student after eighteen into quality apprenticeships, higher education or a full-time job, helping students to find their next destination.

-ENDS-

Notes:

Photo: ‘Coventry’s WMG Academy for Young Engineers apprentices prepare for their next destination’

Left to right: Joseph Benjamin, Sam Eyre, Hayley McDermott, Josh Goodwin, Chris Nix, Joanne Eley, Ben Austin, Charlotte Parr, Avery Eyles.

Read Lord Bhattacharyya's speech on apprenticeships at Coventry Freemen's Guild Apprentice of the Year Awards here.

A second academy, WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull will be opening in September 2016, with an intake of 200 students in Year 10 and Year 12, located in the Chelmsley Wood area of Solihull. There’s a large workshop area as well as multi-use classrooms, designed to deliver a STEM based curriculum.

WMG Academy for Young Engineers Solihull will deliver a business-led and business-like education focussed on engineering and applied digital technology for young people aged 14-19 in the local area.

Employer Partners for the WMG Academy for Young Engineers, Solihull include: Jaguar Land Rover, Controls and Data Services (formerly Aero Engine Controls), Arup, Automotive Insulations, Dassault Systemes, and Prodrive.

The new WMG Academy is currently taking applications for the first cohort of students to start in September 2016. Visit: http://www.wmgacademysolihull.org.uk/

Contact:

Alex Buxton

Communications Manager
Tel: 02476 150423
Mob: 07876 218166
a.buxton.1@warwick.ac.uk

OR

Lisa Barwick

Head of Marketing & Communications at WMG

Tel: 024 7652 4721
L.Barwick@warwick.ac.uk