Employers >> Press Releases
15th January 2007
Contact: Nicola Hughes
Communications Manager, Northern Way Secretariat
0191 229 6752
07771 805949
UPLIFT FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS
IN THE NORTH
Pioneering work has started on a Northern Way project to provide new professional development services in areas of advanced science, engineering and technology industries that are not currently catered for.
Some new and emerging areas of science, engineering and technology are thought not to be adequately supported by existing programmes and other providers of professional development services. This is holding back the contribution to the economy that these sectors can make.
The Northern Way wants to be sure that early and mid career professionals can build their knowledge and skills, serve their customers and employers well, and maximise the value that they add.
As a result, it is supporting eight northern universities to create a virtual
Centre for Professional Excellence for Advanced Science, Engineering and
Technology (CPE-ASET). This will look at gaps in the market and establish
whether niche sectors could benefit from professional development services.
Funded by the Northern Way Growth Fund to the tune of £500,000 the
universities this month signed contracts to explore the potential for a
Centre for Professional Excellence until 2008 and deliver a number of pilot
activities.
Led by the University of Teesside, and developed with the North West Universities
Association, CPE-ASET partners include the universities of Central Lancashire,
Chester, Huddersfield, Hull, Liverpool, Northumbria and Sunderland.
The collaboration will work with employers across the North to provide demand-led,
flexible learning opportunities in applied science disciplines. This includes:
• biomedical sciences
• nanotechnology
• engineering design
• product design and manufacturing
• investigative sciences.
Other disciplines could also include:
• environmental engineering
• digital engineering, and
• medical technology.
Eleven pilot projects have already been designed and will be up and running very soon. Each will establish exactly which areas of science, engineering and technology are not adequately provided with professional development services and test whether there is adequate market demand.
The CPE-ASET will next look at plugging the gaps by providing innovative courses and other knowledge or skills transfer activities designed specifically to meet defined industry or sector needs – for example, in forensic sciences – which would not have not otherwise been developed by higher educational institutions. These flexible courses will be available to employers across the North.
The Centre for Professional Excellence aims to develop 20 new courses and enlist 200 new learners by March 2008, with the aim of being self sustaining beyond that date.
David Sanderson, who leads on innovation for The Northern Way, said: “The Centre for Professional Excellence and the projects within it will lay the foundations for enhanced professional development services for science, engineering and technology in the North of England. Once established, the CPE will enhance the performance of professionals, leading to higher added value business activity, and contribute to closing the wealth gap with the rest of the UK.
“With this innovative work, we are demonstrating that the North can sort out its own problems and grow its knowledge economy, thus strengthening our case for further investment from the private and public sectors in the future.”
Lead academic, Professor Brian Hobbs, Dean of the University of Teesside’s School of Science and Technology, said: “This centre is an exciting new concept which harnesses the expertise of eight universities across a broad geographical area covering the whole of the North of England.
“Knowledge based businesses and public sector organisations utilising state of the art science, technology and engineering have a key part to play in the economic development of the North.
“The centre covers a wide range of these key areas and will develop and pilot innovative and accessible high level courses to meet the professional development needs of senior staff.“
Keith Burnley, Executive Director of the North West Universities Association, said: “This is an excellent example of the way in which universities are working together to develop a world class knowledge economy within and across the three northern regions.
“The North has a strong and diverse university sector with a real commitment to work together to support businesses, communities and individuals in the Northern Way area.”
Project manager Kevin Ions, from Teesside Management Centre, at the University of Teesside said: “This is a very exciting project and we’ll be trying some innovative approaches to flexible learning that have never been done before.
“For the first time employers and employees in need of, say, courses in forensic science or nanotechnology in the North East will be able to access learning opportunities in the North West or Yorkshire and Humber.”
