School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science academic Dr Shady Gadoue has been awarded a share of £4 million worth of research funding, to address the power electronics skills gap and encourage students to develop expertise in this field.
As part of the Innovate UK-funded project, a five-day training programme for students will be held, which will encourage them to pursue a career in power electronics and take advantage of the ever-growing opportunities in this area.
The Future Power Electronics Engineers Fair event series will see employers from the automotive, marine, aerospace, aviation and renewable energy industries visit campus to host practical training workshops and industrial demonstrations.
The events, taking place on five Wednesdays in January and February 2023, will support skills, talent and training across the UK power electronics manufacturing and supply chains.
Dr Gadoue, Senior Lecturer in Electrical Power Engineering at the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science, said: “I’m pleased that our project has won the Innovate UK funding competition on ‘Driving the Electric Revolution Challenge,’ amongst 16 game-changing intervention projects. In collaboration with leading UK industries, our project will create and deliver an industry-compatible training platform that will inspire early-stage candidates to take advantage of the extensive opportunities to help meet net zero economy targets within several sectors of the UK industry.”
As more and more industries seek to move towards low-carbon alternatives and electrical solutions to transport and energy issues, power electronics is becoming increasingly important in helping organisations to meet green energy and environmental targets. There is currently a power electronics skills gap in the UK, and a need for future engineers to meet the fast-growing demand for this expertise.
Through interaction between relevant industries and academia, Dr Gadoue's project will ensure students are supported to develop the necessary skills to join the power electronics workforce.
Bookings for the Future Power Electronics Engineers Fair will open via Eventbrite on Friday 25 January, at 9am.
Book now