A national charity says that the East Midlands needs to build on the good A level results achieved by students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects and recommends that a work experience gap year might be a good option for some who have just received their A level results.
Geoff Jellis, Midlands Regional Director of the Engineering Development Trust, an independent registered charity that runs schemes to inspire and motivate young people to choose a career in science, engineering and technology (SET) says,
“Every day we work with students and businesses, helping the students build an enthusiasm for science and engineering subjects. It is good to see that work bear fruit in the increasing numbers of students who are getting good grades in these subjects but there is a long way to go. The East Midlands is building an economic strategy based on innovative high tech businesses – we need many more students to be inspired into maths and science subjects if we are to have the skills base to service these future businesses.”
Jellis argues that the region also needs students to have a rounded experience, with not just academic ability but also a good grounding in work experience. Students who have taken a work placement year out in science and engineering improve their academic performance and have distinct advantages over their peers in improving their career options.
“A ‘Year in Industry’ is an option for many students who have achieved better or worse ‘A’ level results than they needed for their university offer”, suggests Jellis. “ For those who have achieved better they might like to consider whether a year working in industry might give them the opportunity to improve their CV’s and apply for a higher quality of degree than they had previously thought possible after that gap year.
Similar issues might help students who have missed their grades, perhaps a work placement gap year will improve their CV’s sufficiently to get onto a good quality course next year and, of course, they could also have some very useful savings before starting university. The Year in Industry gap year option should be seriously considered; there are some vacancies still available for the coming year and students who have just completed AS levels in science or technology subjects should certainly investigate it for the year after their A levels.”
The Year in Industry (YINI) provides paid, degree-relevant work placements for students in the year out before or during their degree course. The scheme offers a unique type of year out. The Year in Industry placements provide structured and fully supported work experience from which students gain career and personal development, confirm their career choice and prepare for their degree.
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Notes:
Geoff Jellis is available for interview – contact directly on 07792 908 584 or 0115 951 6688 to make arrangements