Engineering technician apprenticeship scheme given industry seal of approval

A four-year apprenticeship scheme for trainee technicians at The University of Nottingham is first in the UK to be accredited by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. On completion, trainees are qualified to apply for Engineering Technician (EngTech) registration, supporting a government initiative to boost the number of professional engineering technicians nationally to 100,000 by 2020. Recognising it faced its own shortfall in skilled technicians, due to fewer younger staff entering the vocation, the Faculty of Engineering at the University set up the trainee technician scheme in 2008. From an initial intake of two, the scheme has grown considerably in eight years, with 17 young graduates to date, more than 100 applications annually and a new cohort which started in September 2015. To date, 100 per cent of apprentices to complete the programme have been employed by the University as skilled technicians. Alongside the day-to-day management of workshops, laboratories and other essential duties, technicians also contribute to cutting-edge research and teach practical skills to students across a number of degree programmes. Professor Andy Long, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Engineering said: "Technicians play a crucial hands-on role in higher education, supporting teaching and research activities.