The Future of Industry on Exhibition

Over 70 talented gap year students and undergraduates from the West Midlands will be displaying their innovative business solutions at The Year in Industry Company Exhibition, Wednesday 23rd June at The University of Birmingham.

(PRWEB) June 19, 2004 -- The Company Exhibition celebrates the end of another successful year for the scheme and is a chance for the future leaders of local business to show off the superb results achieved from their placements with local companies.

The Year in Industry is a national scheme, which places the UKs brightest students with companies for paid, 12-month, degree relevant work placements. Its a great scheme giving students the opportunity to earn a real salary while gaining the rights skills and experiences to help them in their degree and following career. Companies taking part in the scheme also benefit by gaining a cost-effective, motivated workforce and early access to potential graduate recruits. This year 23 companies throughout the area have profited from taking on students, including GKN, Goodrich Engine Control Systems, Birmingham Airport and National Grid Transco.

There will be many exciting and inventive projects on display at the event. These will include-

1) A project for Aerosystems International (Worcester) to create a training system for military aircraft operators to allow them to simulate realistic wartime situations.
2) A student at Atkins (Birmingham) working on the design and construction of eight highway bridges over six major junctions along the A1.
3) A student working within a team at National Grid Transco (Coventry) on introducing a new system for calculating electricity charges for customers connecting to and using the High Voltage Transmission System.
4) A student at QinetiQ (Malvern) working on a project with the Tarsier radar, designed to locate debris on airport runways.

Alongside the Company Exhibition, 8 students will be presenting their projects to a panel of judges for the Regional Final of the 'Contribution to The Business Award. The panel of judges will include; Frank Mills, Regional Director of BT, Rob Hill, Retail Strategy Manager at Powergen and Sharuna Sagar from BBC Midlands Today.

Three of the finalists will then present their projects to all visitors at 18:00 and following that, the awards will be handed out. The regional winner will receive 500 from the EEF (Engineering Employers Federation) and go on to represent the West Midlands at the National Final in London.

'With over 500 visitors expected, including company directors and key members from local industry and education, were expecting it to be a very busy and exciting day comments Estelle Rowe, Area Director for The Year in Industry. 'Every year students astound their companies with the project work, and it looks like this year is no exception. Our talented young people make a significant contribution to West Midlands Industry- come and support them!

For more information on The Year in Industry, go to www.yini.org.uk or contact Estelle Rowe, Area Director on 0121 414 8116 or e.rowe@yini.org.uk

Notes to Editor
1) MEDIA OPPORTUNITIES- Members of the press and photographers are welcome from 15:00- 18:00, The Great Hall, The University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT.

Students will be available for interview and there will be many visual displays and photo opportunities.

Media Contact- Caroline Durbin. Tel- 0121 414 7933 E-mail- c.durbin@yini.org.uk

2) The Year in Industry is a great scheme whereby students earn a real salary (8K- 12K) while gaining relevant, practical experience to help with their degree and employment prospects. Companies taking part in the scheme also gain a highly cost effective workforce and early access to potential trained graduate recruits.

3) Dont write off the gap year in 2005! Students who chose to take part in The Year in Industry in 2005 can still benefit by getting a good salary, increasing sponsorship opportunities and maximising their graduate earning potential.

4) Founded in 1986, currently The Year in Industry has nearly 600 students placed throughout the UK.

5) The Year in Industry has been awarded The Royal Academy of Engineerings mark of excellence under the banner of the Best education programme.

6) The Year in Industry is administered by the Engineering Development Trust. Registered Charity Number 1002459