Wales offers plenty of opportunities to get STEM career by learning on the job
With A-level results out today, GCSEs next week and university graduates now looking to the future, experts involved in STEM opportunities in Wales are urging them to consider STEM jobs and study available here. GERALD KELLY, director of professional service at Sony UK Technology Centre, Cate Warren, academic administrator at Wynne Jones IP, and Andrea Meyrick, regional coordinator for Nuffield Placements in Wales, outline what’s on offer
SCIENCE, technology, engineering and mathematics roles have seen a concerning decline in uptake in recent years, with one estimate forecasting an annual shortfall of 40,000 STEM workers in the UK.
By 2022 Wales will need 8,000 engineers, 4,500 scientists, 4,300 science and engineering technicians, and 25,000 nurses, according to figures from Working Futures.
The lack of uptake could be attributed to graduates and students simply being unaware of what STEM opportunities are available to them locally.
But when it comes to apprenticeships, training schemes, and placements – south Wales has some of the most diverse and exciting STEM roles in Wales.
Here are some of the opportunities on the doorstep:
Sony UK Technology Centre, Pencoed
Sony UK Technology Centre is the Welsh division of Sony Europe. The Pencoed manufacturing site is famed for producing the latest in broadcast technology, including the 4K cameras which are used to film major international events such as the FIFA World Cup, The Ryder Cup and Wimbledon.
It employs over 600 highly skilled team players, who help to create some of the most advanced technology on the global market.
Its engineers also work across third-party manufacturing creating world-renowned products including the Raspberry Pi. They also work to pioneer the latest ground-breaking manufacturing processes of the future, through the Advanced Manufacturing Research Operations Centre.
Graduate and apprentice opportunities:
The manufacturing facility has created its own bespoke apprentice scheme which aims to identify and support Wales’ engineering talents of the future.
The apprentice scheme is a fouryear programme which allows new starters to develop their skills while producing some of the industry’s most progressive technology.
Apprentices learn and develop manufacturing and engineering skills and knowledge through onsite work placements, while also studying for nationally recognised qualifications at Cardiff and Vale College or Bridgend College.
They will work across a variety of departments including production engineering, industrial engineering, test engineering and development engineering and robotics and the on-site machine shop on a rotation basis.
The graduates scheme is a one to three-year programme during which team members learn and develop skills across multiple departments across engineering, production management, parts quality assurance, supply chain, professional services and finance & business control. Requirements:
Apprentices need a minimum of five GCSEs, including a B or above in maths, and Cs or above in science and English. Other relevant subjects such as D&T, resistant materials or engineering would be an advantage.
Graduates need a minimum of a 2:1 degree in any discipline.
So far Sony UK TEC has welcomed over 30 graduates and apprentices to the scheme in the last three years, with team members being recognised with Higher Apprentice Awards, travelling to Japan to expand their skillsets, and even going on to lead lucrative and innovative projects within the factory.
How to apply:
Graduates can apply via www.sonypencoed.co.uk/graduateprogramme/
Apprentices can visit www.sonypencoed.co.uk/apprenticeshipprogramme-1/
Alternatively, they can email a CV and a one-page cover letter to PencoedVacancies@eu.sony.com
Applications for next year’s programmes will open in winter 2018. Techniquest, Cardiff
Techniquest is an educational charity based in Cardiff Bay. It is Wales’ largest provider of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) enrichment activity through its science discovery centre and UK-leading educational programme.
It offers more than 120 hands-on exhibits, a Science Theatre, a Planetarium and a range of educational outreach activities aimed at delivering science into schools across Wales.
The centre is also set to receive £3m of funding to make science more accessible to the people of Wales through its Science Capital project.
Placement opportunities:
Although not paid roles, Techniquest offers a number of specialist placement opportunities aimed at preparing pupils of all ages for working in a STEM environment.
Techniquest offers unpaid work experience/placement opportunities for pupils over 16 and university students. This enables them to learn about how science is communicated to audiences in an engaging and interactive manner.
Additionally, Techniquest manages the Nuffield Research Placement Programme in Wales. This programme provides year 12 students with an invaluable opportunity to work alongside professional scientists, technologists, engineers and mathematicians. As part of the scheme they will spend time on a live research project in a working research and development environment, and engage in a unique four to six week experience with professionals over the summer break.
Requirements:
Attendees for this must be Year 12 students; have at least five GCSEs at grade B/Grade 6 or above, including maths, a science subject, and English or another humanities subject; and be studying one or more Alevels (or equivalent) in science, technology, engineering or maths.
Figures:
In 2018, 75 students have taken part in Nuffield Research Placements across Wales which have been organised by Techniquest and hosted at universities and STEM organisations
How to apply:
Applications for the Nuffield Research Placement programme should be made through the Nuffield Foundation website www.nuffieldresearchplacements.org
To apply for a work experience placement at Techniquest email operations manager rhys@techniquest.org Applications open for summer 2019 in late October.
Wynne Jones IP, Cardiff
Wynne-Jones IP is a UK firm of intellectual property specialists, with offices in Cardiff, London, Cheltenham and Telford.
Trading for over 50 years, the firm advises businesses and inventors in a wide range of sectors worldwide on all aspects of IP rights, strategy and renewals.
Graduate opportunities:
The firm, which advises businesses and inventors worldwide on all aspects of patents, trademarks, design rights and copyright, will start advertising roles for its Wynne Jones Training Academy between September and December this year.
Trainees will gain experience in working with technical patents, gain general business skills, develop financial experience, interpersonal and managerial skills, along with business development and marketing, and developing client relationship management.
Trainees will receive expert support from Wynne Jones’s IP staff and other professionals to ensure they receive unparalleled experience. During the five-year scheme trainees will receive legal training, along with extensive business training to ensure they become well-rounded attorneys.
Thanks to its industry-leading reputation, Wynne Jones IP will allow trainees access to a range of worldrenowned clients including inventors, Blue Chip companies, Russell Group universities, and SME’s leading the way in innovation. Requirements:
Unlike many intellectual property training courses, graduates do not require a law degree in order to apply, however an engineering or related degree will be essential. Figures:
Fourteen trainees are currently enrolled on the training programme, with Wynne Jones IP constantly looking for new talent.
How to apply:
Applicants can either apply online via the Wynne-Jones training academy page www.wynne-jones.com/ training-academy/graduates/ or send a CV and covering letter to careers@wynne-jones.com. Applications will open in the autumn for 2019.
■ Gerald Kelly is director of professional service at Sony UK Technology Centre; Cate Warren is academic administrator at Wynne Jones IP; and, Andrea Meyrick is regional coordinator for Nuffield Placements in Wales.