Scholarship to boost steel sector recruitment

The BCSA, together with the Ironmongers’ Company, is launching a new Steel Construction University Scholarship Scheme to increase the number of school leavers electing to study steel related subjects.

Dr Derek Tordoff, BCSA Director General, said: “In spite of its current strength, the major challenge to the steel construction industry is recruitment.”

A particular concern is the fall in the number of engineering students at university, which is 50% less than it was ten years ago. “This presents a significant risk to the future of the industry,” commented Dr Tordoff.

The scheme, which will start in time for this year’s Autumn term, is specifically aimed at those who are interested in steel related subjects, including civil engineering, but do not have the financial resources to go to university.

“Because the Ironmongers’ Company selects and sponsors students at secondary schools it already has the infrastructure in place to choose suitable university students and maintain contact with them during their scholarship careers,” explained Dr Tordoff.

The scheme will be operated through the Ironmongers’ Foundation, a charitable trust run by the Ironmongers’ Company which already supports post-graduate research students and projects for disadvantaged children.

The BCSA and the Ironmongers’ Company jointly agreed to sponsor the first steel construction students. However, the BCSA is keen to hear from any interested companies that would like to consider sponsoring or part sponsoring a student, or providing students with Summer work experience.