CAREERS
Skills exchange
Collaborations with universities are helping companies stay ahead of the game
with cutting-edge research and specialist technology. Andrew Lee reports ■ Nanotech courses
A GROWING number of companies
are working with universities to
access the expertise and skills they
need to stay at the forefront of
innovation, according to new
research from manufacturing industry
body EEF.
Results from the organisation’s
first Innovation Monitor survey suggest
that businesses are increasingly
successful in their efforts to
collaborate with external partners.
The research found that half of
companies are working with universities
in areas such as accessing
specialist technology and joint projects
and R&D initiatives. Most
reported no problems in finding the
right academic partner and managing
the cost of the relationship.
Steve Radley, chief economist at
EEF, said ‘real progress’ had been
made in bringing businesses and
the academic sector together.
‘But getting these relationships
off the ground is not straightforward,’
added Radley. ‘Widening
the scope of some existing and
successful schemes would offer
further support for small companies
trying to launch a collaborative
partnership.’
EEF called for the expansion of
government initiatives such as the
Knowledge Transfer Partnerships
and innovation vouchers as a way
of boosting the number of companies
working with universities.
Other recommendations include
providing incentives for public sector
procurement departments to
invest in innovative products and
services and setting up a national
proof of concept scheme to help
companies raise finance for the
commercialisation of new ideas.
The value of long-standing
industry-academic partnerships
was underlined by last week’s
announcement from automotive
technology group Ricardo that it will
renew its research contract with the
University of Brighton for another
three years, further extending a
relationship that began in the early
1990s.
Brighton is home to the Sir Harry
Ricardo Research Laboratories, a
£3m facility operated by the university’s
Internal Combustion Engines
group, which is now one of the UK’s
leading research facilities of its type.
It includes a range of optically
accessed engines that can be used
for fundamental research into diesel
and gasoline combustion using the
latest laser-based diagnostic measurement
techniques.
The collaboration recently
resulted in completion of a new
engine concept called 2/4SIGHT,
designed to offer a more environmentally
benign alternative to conventional
spark ignition.
56 the EnGIneeR 1–14 SEPTEMBER 2008
As part of the new funding
arrangement Morgan Heikal will
become Ricardo Professor of Automotive
Engineering at Brighton.
Neville Jackson, Ricardo technology
director, said: ‘The fundamental
research work at the
university contributes enormously
to our own work in engine research,
design and development, where we
have complementary skills.’
■ The next issue of The Engineer
will feature the final shortlist for
the magazine’s 2008 Technology
& Innovation Awards, which
recognises excellence in
collaboration between companies
and universities. The winners will
be announced at a ceremony in
London next month.
CAREERS IN BRIEF
Cranfield University has teamed
up with the Institute of
Nanotechnology (IoN) to offer a
series of short courses covering
the impact of nanotech on the
development of new medical
technologies. The courses range
from a general introduction to
individual modules on specialist
topics. IoN says the global market
for nano-based medical
technologies and products could
reach £50bn by 2010.
■ Fast-track training
The Learning and Skills Council is
urging more engineering firms to
use its Train to Gain training
service. An LSC survey of 79,000
employers showed eight per cent
of the workforce in the sector
gained nationally recognised
qualifications during the last year.
The body claimed the service has
delivered measurable skills benefits
to three quarters of companies in
the scheme, with 30 per cent of
staff achieving promotion as a
result of their training. Information
at www.traintogain.gov.uk
■ Semta appoints Shaw
Jonathan Shaw is the new
chairman of the mechanical and
electrical sector strategy group of
Semta, the science, engineering
and manufacturing skills council.
Shaw, managing director of
Colchester-Harrison manufacturer
600 Lathes, will lead work to
identify skills gaps in the sector
and develop strategies to fill them.
■ Nuclear expertise on offer
ATG Nuclear Division and Sellafield
have started a training scheme to
enhance the skills of electrical
engineering graduates in the
nuclear industry. Graduates on the
Sellafield programme will spend up
to six months at Merseyside-based
ATG, where they will learn more
about the industry’s supply chain
and develop expertise in areas
such as project management.
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