NewsSpark their imagination; power their future, a new programme for 2024 from UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) and Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult, has inspired thousands of young people in Wales to study, and start careers, in the thriving field of electronics. Electronics Engineers are in high demand but between 2012 and 2021, the number of Welsh students studying an Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE) degree reduced by a third, dropping from 180 to 120. The project also aims to increase the diversity of people entering the electronics industry.
As part of the programme, more than 200 students from schools and colleges across Wales, explored electronics at one of the workshops hosted by leading Welsh universities. The young people attending the events were introduced to the many exciting opportunities of studying and working in the field of electronics.
Spark their imagination also provided free electronics equipment, and resources, to secondary schools to help teachers promote electronics and develop their students’ knowledge. This year, 50 schools in over 35 different towns and cities throughout Wales received a variety of electronics kits. The equipment is reusable and will be used by thousands of students for many years to come.
The project includes the Sparc Award which offers financial support for school and college students who are planning to study electronics-related courses at university. As part of the project, 24 bursaries of £2,500 have been awarded to students who have secured a place at university this autumn.
At the workshops, students were welcomed by UKESF CEO, Stewart Edmondson, who introduced semiconductors and explained how this technology is crucial for day-to-day devices to work.
Leading academics spoke to the students about their route into engineering and the different roles they’ve had throughout their careers. Members of the university team, and their students, also gave an insight into how exciting and rewarding it is studying electronics at university.
Students also visited the state-of-the-art labs and measured the movement of light, built circuits and learned about simulation design. The students got ‘hands on’ with microcontrollers and were able to take the kits home to continue exploring the world of electronics.
Throughout the workshops, academics explained how semiconductors underpin a wide range of technologies and will enable future applications. Semiconductors and compound semiconductors are in smartphones and games consoles as well as robotics and artificial intelligence. They will help develop electric cars, renewable energy and secure communications.
There is a wealth of career opportunities in the electronics industry and the students heard how the UKESF can provide support whilst at university and beyond.
The workshops were hosted by Cardiff University, University of Wales Trinity St David, Bangor University, University of South Wales and Swansea University.
Spark their imagination; power their future, funded by Innovate UK, is just one of the projects and initiatives from the UKESF inspiring the next generation of Electronics Engineers.
“I’ve been so pleased with the enormous interest in our collaborative Spark their imagination programme this year.
“Engaging over 50 secondary schools in Wales, at the events or linking up to provide our free electronics kits, will have a lasting impact. Also, it has been really worthwhile to support 24 students from Wales as they make the transition to university.
“The in-person workshops have been great. The host universities have all been fantastically supportive and helped us deliver successful events. As well as the students themselves, it has been so valuable to involve teachers as their participation means that we should be able to sustain engagement in semiconductors at schools and colleges across Wales.”
Stewart Edmondson, UKESF CEO
“The purpose of this programme is to inspire the next generation of engineers and raise the profile of our industry. We are facing a workforce shortage, so we need to have interventions in place which will educate and inform young people about the opportunities that are available to them.
“This project addresses that, but also offers information and resources to teachers and schools, careers information and opportunities to hear from industry as well as education, and crucially, it offers financial support to learners who want to go on to further study.
“This multi-faceted approach will hopefully be a strong foundation for Wales to build upon and be an excellent case study for what could be implemented across the UK.”
Alex Leadley, Skills Academy manager at CSA Catapult
