Analysis of survey data from 2015-16 shows that 69% of graduates took their first job in their home region. Therefore, opportunities for progression into skilled employment for over two-thirds of graduates depend on the demand for graduate skills in their local regions. The OfS hopes this funding will enable universities to forge partnerships with employers to ensure that better use is made of local graduate skills.
Students will be hoping to emulate the success of Sam Reeder who has already secured a place with local industrial laser manufacturer Rofin-Sinar, fully-funded by the company.
Sam says: “Like many undergraduates, the big fear is knowing what you’re going to after leaving university. I wanted to see what the options out there are and the best way to do that is to experience it and see what the other side of physics looks like.
“When people think of physicists, people see them covered in equations and working to change the world from behind a desk and not in a factory making something. This placement is a chance for me to have a great summer learning amazing things from passionate people. It’s going to be life-changing.”
Another student who has secured a year-long placement at STFC, Joe Bradley, adds: “This will be an amazing opportunity that will help me stand out from the crowd when I finish my degree – I couldn’t turn it down. Physics is a broad field and this will be great way to see what it has to offer and what I want to do in the future.”
Hi-tech businesses, particularly SMES interested in learning more, or offering a work placement to a physics student, are urged to contact Mossy Kelly at Mossy.Kelly@hull.ac.uk or Andrew Hirst at andrew.hirst@york.ac.uk