Schaeffler to sponsor NMITE female undergraduate

The firm is already a longstanding backer of engineering graduate programmes in the UK, having supported  the Formula Student competition for more than a decade.

Last year it supported teams from nine UK universities for the contest, which involves the design and build of a single seater race car, providing them  with technical engineering advice and expertise.

Human resources manager at Schaeffler UK Kathy Campbell said the company was committed to tackling the shortage of young engineers by tapping the potential of females, who remain seriously under represented in the profession.

“Engineers are the key to resolving major world challenges but there simply aren’t enough of them,” she explained.

“Females represent a massive pool of untapped talent that could help to address this problem, which is why we are delighted to be able to sponsor a female NMITE engineering student for the duration of her MEng course.”

Engineering UK data reveals only 14.5% of those working in engineering are female, although this represents an increase from the 12% recorded in 2018. NMITE, which took on its first student cohort last year at its Hereford base, says it wants to ensure an environment that produces ‘work-ready’ graduates and to make up the shortfall by recruiting a more equal number of females.

As well as sponsoring an NMITE student, Schaeffler is involved in NMITE’s She/Her=Future Engineer initiative, which is specifically designed to change traditional perceptions and attract female talent.

It has also created a ‘Challenge Programme’ for the course, looking at structural materials and their innovation, plus advanced materials and processes. And it will host site visits and send provide expert speakers.

Commented Campbell: “The engineering sector as a whole needs to drive change and promote itself as a creative, problem solving and inspiring discipline. NMITE offers great hope and we are looking forward to seeing what its students achieve in the future.’