Main Content Jump to Footer

Nuffield/ETB pilot

Guy Bishop from St George’s College, Surrey who took an engineering bursary placement at QinetiQ in Summer 2007The Nuffield Foundation, in partnership with the Engineering and Technology Board (ETB), has launched an Engineering Bursaries scheme that provides funded placements for high quality engineering students to undertake a focussed project in industry.

It will offer funded places (£75 per week) during the 2008 summer vacation to enable students across the UK to get a 5-week insight into the world of engineering industry.

The history behind the Nuffield/ETB Engineering Bursary scheme

The Nuffield Foundation has run a highly-respected School and College Science Bursary scheme for some years and the Engineering Bursary scheme will be run to the same model, ensuring that it uses the best practice of years of experience.

Which students are eligible to apply for a Nuffield/ETB Engineering bursary?

Any full-time student in the first year of an engineering course at a further education college at level 3 and above in Northern Ireland, Wales, the North East and the East Midlands may apply (e.g. BTEC National Certificates and Diplomas and Foundation Degrees).

How long do placements last?

The bursary will be for 5 weeks during the summer vacation.

The projects

The project will be well defined from the start and have an outcome that is achievable within the time available and which will make a contribution to the work of the host organisation.

Which types of employers will the scheme benefit?

This scheme is designed to benefit ‘smaller’ employers (typically 500 employees or less) who usually have less resource available to host such students. Eligible students are those studying qualifications at skill level 3 and above at further education colleges (e.g. BTEC Certificates and Diplomas and Foundation Degrees), so Bursary holders’ capabilities are considerably above those of school-based, work-experience students.

Potential project providers are invited to consider hosting a Bursary student in summer 2008 over the college summer vacation (which is typically the end of June to early September – though this varies in different UK regions).

Unlike ‘traditional’ work experience, the Engineering Bursary Scheme:

• ­ requires host companies to provide specific projects that the Bursary holders can work on, preferably to completion

­• places only high-quality, motivated students, who are paid a bursary (£75 per week) by the Engineering & Technology Board
­
• matches students interests and expertise to company requirements.

Contact your Regional Co-ordinator to register your interest or to discuss the scheme without commitment.

Last Updated Wed, 6 August 2008