CSA Catapult to support early careers in electronics
A bursary project run by the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult and the UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF) is offering electronics students in Wales financial support while at university, as well as access to professional mentoring and development opportunities.
This project is part of the 'Spark their imagination; power their future’ project, funded by Innovate UK, a government organisation.
A total of 24 students from across Wales have been awarded bursaries to provide support while they complete electronics-related degrees and help them start careers in technology.
The Welsh Sparc bursary provides £1,000 to pupils who have accepted their place to study electronics-related degrees. A one-off bursary of £1,500 will also be awarded for personal and professional development after a student’s first year of study.
Between 2012 and 2021, the number of Welsh students studying an Electronics and Electrical Engineering (EEE) degree reduced by a third, dropping from 180 to 120. The Welsh Sparc bursary aims to encourage more young people in Wales to consider a career in electronics. Electrical Engineers are in high demand as technology plays an increasingly important role in our lives, in areas such as smartphone technologies, aerospace, robotics and artificial intelligence.
The inaugural 2024/25 Welsh Sparc Award winners recently attended a celebration event at CSA Catapult’s Innovation Centre in South Wales, to learn more about the support their bursaries offer and the exciting career opportunities ahead of them (pictured above).
Spark their imagination, power their future is one of many interventions CSA Catapult’s dedicated Skills Academy develops, to bring together education providers, industry, government, charities and parents to inspire and develop the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Alex Leadley, Skills Academy manager at CSA Catapult said: “Going on to further study can be daunting. Financial pressure can cause added stress and be a huge deterrent.
“We know that our sector is facing a workforce shortage. We need many engineers with a variety of skills and capabilities from all backgrounds, so schemes and interventions like ours which encourage students are incredibly important.”
Stewart Edmondson, CEO of the UKESF said: “It was such a privilege to meet these amazing young people, and their families, in person.
“This programme is designed to create a pipeline of future talent into our sector from Wales and these students represent the ‘tip of the arrow.’
“I’m delighted that we have been able to support these 24 students and provide some guidance and encouragement as they embark on their university courses.”
