Role: Curriculum Manager
Company: Northern Regional College & Career Academy Programme
Track Record:
“The biggest challenge is dealing with the volume of work in a very forward thinking and dynamic engineering department and accommodating the demands of both students and industry,” said Bill.
What does your job entail?
As a curriculum manager I co-ordinate the Career Academy (Engineering) programme at NRC for full-time level 3 engineering students.
This involves working very closely with our local engineering industry in the provision of industrial mentors, engineering placements, behind the scenes workplace tours, seminars, trips and information sessions for a selection of our level 3 engineering students.
Is it 9-5?
No I wouldn’t say a 9-5 job. The hours can vary at different times of the year and I need to be flexible in dealing with busy industry professionals.
Who are the participating industry professionals and local companies?
The programme is steered directly by a Local Advisory Board (LAB) which meets three times a year and includes professionals from Schrader Electronics, Caterpillar, Hutchinson Engineering, SJMcAuley Engineering, Schlumberger, Ryobi, Michelin and NRC management.
The current LAB chair is Schrader Electronics, Carrick plant manager, Chris Wilson.
How did you get into this line of work?
After graduation I spent 10 years in industry gaining the necessary experience and skills to enter the lecturing profession.
It has been both challenging and rewarding but is something that I always wanted to do.
Having engineering experience and a broad contact base has been key for my role.
Outline your career to date?
I’ve experienced a variety of engineering roles in companies such as FG Wilson (Eng) Ltd, Montupet (UK) Ltd and also with some smaller companies.
I have worked as a manufacturing engineer, project engineer and in training — gaining experience along the way.
Since starting lecturing in 2004 I have been heavily involved in developing the industrial robotics provision where we provide regular industrial robotics training at operator, maintenance technician and programming levels to local companies such as Bombardier, Caterpillar, Montupet, Copeland, Ryobi, Schrader and Mergon International.
I now manage the Career Academy (Engineering) and really enjoy involving industry in the development of our students and seeing industry and students benefit from this process.
When did the Career Academy (Engineering) launch?
The programme launched in September 2012 and is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland specialising in engineering.
Twelve students were recruited into the programme and each was matched with a suitable industry mentor or Partner in Business (PIB).
Students meet their mentors approximately five times a year over the two-year course receiving guidance and advice on engineering topics and discovering how these professionals got to their current positions, which is so inspiring for students.
What are the opportunities for students in the Career Academy (Engineering)?
Students spent July and August 2013 gaining valuable paid engineering related work experience from which three students have already been offered parttime engineering jobs.
They will graduate in London in May 2014 before moving into employment or onto higher education.
New intake students have applied to NRC and were interviewed recently at Grafton Recruitment, Ballymena from which 14 students have been selected.
These students will travel to London for a motivational event in November and will be matched to their PIBs in Jan 2014.
What qualities are required for your job — personal and professional?
Solid engineering knowledge, willingness to develop yourself, adaptability, flexibility, hardworking, good communication skills, good listening skills, confidence in what you do and attention to detail.
Tell us about your qualifications and training.
I graduated in 1994 with a BEng Hons degree in manufacturing engineering from QUB and since starting lecturing in 2004 I have completed two post-graduate courses and an MSc in education on a part-time basis.
I also started a PhD in engineering that I may complete sometime (maybe when my children are a bit older).
I have undertaken numerous courses in the area of industrial robotics over the past nine years.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
The biggest challenge is dealing with the volume of work in a very forward thinking and dynamic engineering department and accommodating the demands of both students and industry.
The rewards are seeing students develop, gain experience, grow in confidence and eventually moving into industry.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I like to spend time with my young family and have recently started to play piano again.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
As a university student I helped form a rock band with four friends and we were convinced that we were going to be the next U2 but that obviously never happened.
I enjoyed every minute.
Who has inspired you most in your life?
I would have to say my father and mother who were both very hard working and instilled a good work ethic in me from a young age.