Lack of funds holding back engineering graduates

Wed 5 Nov 2008

A lack of funding is holding back student engineers from getting successful jobs once out of university.

Shortages of cash for competitions that can boost the image of students is among the reasons why they are not getting good jobs.

David Russell from the University of Hertfordshire, said: "With the current financial situation many companies are unable to support projects…as their free capital is limited.

"Also the funding from the university has been decreased from last year due to there being many other projects to fund."

Mr Russell was part of the Formula Student competition, where students created a prototype car for a manufacturing firm.

The car had to cost below £16,000 and sell to non-professional weekend autocross or sprint racers, as well as being low cost, easy to maintain and reliable.

One area of engineering that is expected to see an increase in jobs in the future is the renewable energy sector.

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