Clyde Space is also supporting calls from Semta, the UK sector skills council for science, engineering and manufacturing technologies, to urge students and parents to consider apprenticeships as a viable alternative to studying engineering or science at university

Philip Whiteman, CEO of Semta, said: “Semta’s 2010 UK Skills Report identifies the need for around 10,000 new highly skilled engineers and scientists every year between now and 2016. We have an ageing workforce of highly skilled workers who will retire soon and take those skills with them. This is why it is vital we encourage more young people to consider a STEM career (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).”

The new coalition government has announced there will be 10,000 fewer university places this year, due to deep cuts to public spending, despite record applications. However, the government has pledged extra funding for apprenticeships.

2009* research showed that 81% of companies taking apprentices increased productivity; 66% said it increased their competitiveness; 92% had better motivated staff and increased job satisfaction and 74% said apprentices stayed with their the company longer than non-apprentices.

Clyde Space, a young company at the cutting edge of creating miniature spacecraft technology are establishing themselves as world leaders and supplying spacecraft systems to space programmes world-wide.

“Too often parents are steering young people into supposedly ‘safe’ subjects, such as law or medicine," comments Craig Clark, founding CEO of Clyde Space. "However, there are high tech companies both in the UK and overseas starved of top engineering and scientific talent.

“Apprenticeships are not second-class in comparison to HE qualifications. There is a clear need for all levels of qualification in engineering and science; the industry needs a balanced mix of the university educated and those from apprenticeships.

“We agree with Semta that we also need to ‘open the eyes’ of the young to the diversity of jobs  within engineering and science. There is a too narrow a view out there about what working in engineering actually means. It is why we work with lots of local schools and education establishments to give young people an insight into our industry. They are our future workforce. We need to invest in them as early as possible.”

Science or engineering?

A recent school placement saw Clyde Space taking on its very own James Kirk a 17 year old student from Glasgow Academy who has just finished his placement Clyde Space. He is a great example of a young person looking to make a decision on whether to pursue a scientific or engineering career.

Kirk said: “The experience [at Clyde Space] has been thoroughly enjoyable and I have even been able to learn more about the diversity that a career in engineering can bring. In particular, I enjoyed the practical work in the lab; building and testing electronics. It has definitely shown me that this is the kind of place I’d like to end up.”

James, now entering his 6th year at school, will be looking at suitable university courses to study engineering.

“Amongst other work, Kirk was able to have a look at our recently developed power controller for our ion drive (no kidding!). Unfortunately, Scotty was on holiday this week, but Spock was here to show James around. I’m pleased to say that, at no point did anyone say, ‘The engines cannae take it Captain!’ " quips Clark. "James visibly enjoyed his few days here at Clyde Space and we’re delighted we could help him in part to make the big decisions at this stage of his life."