The NTDC Supports Inspiring Technical Careers Event at Coventry University
29 July 2024
The NTDC offers annual funding opportunities for technicians at Partner Affiliate universities through our Technician Development Fund. This year, Rick Varnham, Coventry University, was successful in his application for funding of a technical outreach project. His winning initiative was a technical careers event at Coventry University, aimed to inspire and educate secondary school students from multiple schools across the region about the diverse opportunities in technical careers within higher education. Sessions were held in the Alison Gingell Building, Frank Whittle Building, and Delia Derbyshire Building, so students had the opportunity to navigate around and get a feel for life on a university campus.
Held at Coventry University’s city centre campus, the event drew enthusiastic participation from students eager to learn more about various technical fields. Groups of students were welcomed into a series of engaging sessions that showcased the university’s state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge technology. These sessions, led by 16 technicians from across the university’s colleges and research centres, covered a wide array of disciplines, including:
Healthcare Simulation: Technical staff operate specialist manakins that simulate various health conditions for trainee nurses and paramedics to diagnose and treat.
Sport and Exercise Science (performance analysis): Technical staff measure factors associated with exercise performance, including respiratory gas analysis, muscle function and video analysis.
Sport and Exercise Science (specialist measures): Specialist research facilities include an environmental chamber allowing participants to exercise in cold, hot, and high-altitude conditions.
Biosciences: The University’s ‘Lab+’ has space for over 250 students and is supported by the University’s largest technical team.
Vehicle Simulators: Technical staff operate specialist, immersive vehicle simulators allowing users to experience the consequences of vehicle design features and record flight/telemetry data.
Wind Tunnel: Technical staff operate wind tunnels used to test the aerodynamics of cars, planes, aerofoils and other test specimens.
Motorsport Engineering: Technical staff support the annual build of our ‘Formula Student’ race car.
Manufacturing: Technical staff operate advanced manufacturing equipment such as CNC, EDM machines and high- end 3D plastic, carbon fibre and metal printers.
Electronic Engineering: Technical staff support a range of lab experiments and projects within electrical and electronic engineering.
Immersive Sound Studio: Technical staff operate sound production equipment within our immersive Dolby studio.
Design Workshop: Technical staff produce digital designs utilising techniques such as 3D printing and laser cutting.
Film Studio: Technical staff assist in building sets, lighting and operating industry standard film kit to produce award winning films.
Virtual Reality: Technical staff support the implementation of virtual reality design, utilising a 3D motion capture facility.
Creative Workshops: Technical staff oversee hands-on workshops including clay, jewellery, wood, and metal.
NTDC representatives were pleased to join the event, participating alongside the students and experiencing firsthand the enthusiasm and engagement generated by the day’s activities. The technicians at Coventry University played a pivotal role in making the event a success, showcasing their daily roles, responsibilities, and the sophisticated equipment they work with.
The feedback from the students is that some would definitely consider a career as a technician as a result of the event, with the most popular area visited being Arts & Media. The event left a lasting impression on the students, who left feeling excited, inspired, and more informed about the potential career paths available to them in technical fields.
“I found it interesting how many random things you can make”
- Year 9 student feedback of the Creative Workshops session.
Feedback from the technical staff involved in the event was equally as positive. 100% of the supporting technical staff either agreed or somewhat agreed that:
There would be value in repeating the event in future.
The event helped them to expand their network and collaborate within the University.
The event improved their confidence with delivering outreach.
By supporting such initiatives, the NTDC continues to promote technical careers and foster the next generation of skilled technicians. Our next round of Technician Development Fund will open in 2025. To stay up to date on opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter here.