“Embedding soft skills and business awareness – Mechanical Engineering at UU” Dr Margaret Morgan Overview BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering programme Embedding business skills within the curriculum Industry collaboration and support BEng Hons Mechanical Engineering CEng accreditation by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers 85% employment record Compulsory industrial Placement Strong university/industry partnership What industry wants? Technical excellence Problem-solving skills Innovation and creativity Commercial awareness Excellent communicators Matching programme delivery to industry needs Communication / team-working skills Practical management skills e.g. selfdiscipline, independent study-skills, time management, etc. Visits to manufacturing organisations Placement in industry Formal industrial management module Industry visits Industrially relevant projects Real-life design brief given Students and company engineers Industry prizes for winning designs Practical Application Practical Application Considerations Huge logistical task coordinating industrial visits and timetables Need commitment from the companies – use past graduates as facilitators Financial incentive required for companies to be involved? Grant aid scheme to encourage companies to employ Placement students? Practical issues Need continuity on industrially sponsored prizes Lack of commitment/maturity from the students Need buy-in from lecturing staff Financial implications Cost of bus hire – relatively small Hospitality for industrial visitors – insignificant Travel costs for industrial Placement visits Thank you