Latest news with #UWTSD
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Automotive
- Business News Wales
Breaking Barriers in Motorsport Engineering
Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember, and I feel incredibly fortunate that it has also become my career. For the past 18 years, I've had the pleasure of lecturing in Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), and what a journey it has been. During that time, the field has evolved dramatically. We've seen rapid and sometimes groundbreaking technological advances, from significant improvements in simulation techniques to the development of hybrid powertrains. The role of an engineer has expanded and diversified and it's an incredibly exciting time to be part of this industry. However, one thing that hasn't changed enough is the number of women pursuing careers in motorsport engineering. Over the years, I've seen some incredibly talented young women enrol on our courses, graduate, and go on to have fulfilling careers. But until recently their numbers have been small, about 5 per cent compared to the men. For many years, I was the only woman in our motorsport department. I'm happy to say there are now two of us, but the wider industry still has work to do. This enduring imbalance raises an important question: why does the stereotype persist, and what can we do to change it? The old image of engineers covered in grease and wearing overalls is largely outdated. Today, engineering roles are diverse—some still involve hands-on work, which appeals to many, but others focus on software, data analysis, and simulation. You can thrive in this industry and still wear heels and have great nails if you want to! Motorsport is global, offering opportunities to travel, build international careers, and work with world-leading teams. It's an exciting, dynamic field with excellent pay, strong maternity benefits, and a real sense of camaraderie. You don't even have to be a 'petrol head' to succeed, although an aptitude for maths certainly helps! I was lucky. I grew up with a rally-mad father who was delighted when I chose motorsport, and an independent, feminist mother who constantly reminded me that 'women can do anything.' Add to that a few brilliant maths teachers at Llangatwg Comprehensive and St John Baptist School, and I had the support I needed to achieve my A-levels and secure a place at university. Since my school days, the curriculum has shifted to emphasise STEM subjects, helping to address the national skills shortage. But we can do more to support girls early on, encouraging them to stick with maths and science and helping them see engineering as an accessible and exciting career. Fantastic initiatives like F1 in Schools and Green Power are inspiring young people to dream big. Here at UWTSD, we're proud to support Girls on Track, Motorsport UK's programme that introduces school-aged girls to the diverse world of motorsport, from pit stop challenges to media and presenting roles. Change is happening. Women now make up 10 per cent of the workforce in motorsport and for the first time, we've achieved that same percentage on our motorsport programmes at UWTSD. To celebrate, we're running a series of activities to build a stronger community of female engineers, hoping to create a supportive network that encourages even more girls to consider this fantastic career. Last year marked the 25th anniversary of our BEng Motorsport Engineering Degree Programme, the first of its kind in the world. Thanks to the vision of former lecturer Roger Dowden who started the course and guidance from the Motorsport Industry Association, our graduates have become valuable assets in motorsport and high-performance automotive industries worldwide. Many have gone on to work for prestigious companies like McLaren, Gordon Murray, Bentley, Ford, Arc, and Toyota Gazoo Racing. Our close ties with industry advisors ensure that our course remains relevant, practical, and academically rigorous. This blend of theory and real-world application is our unique strength, and it makes our graduates stand out. I believe we're on the right track. By continuing to challenge stereotypes, build supportive communities, and celebrate the successes of women in motorsport, we can create a future where gender is no barrier to pursuing a thrilling, rewarding engineering career. And to all the young girls out there dreaming big: believe me when I say that you can do anything.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New uni campus plans as 200 years of teaching ends
Plans are being explored to develop post-16 vocational training at the University of Wales Trinity St David. Despite protests in Lampeter and at the Senedd, the university confirmed in January that 200 years of undergraduate teaching would end in the Ceredigion town, with humanities courses being transferred to Carmarthen in September 2025. The university previously said it was "not viable" to maintain the infrastructure of the campus with just 92 undergraduate students. But plans for skills training at the site have been described as "very, very exciting" by the leader of Ceredigion council. Both University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) and the council have confirmed they are in the "early stages of scoping opportunities" to develop skills and vocational provision at Lampeter. UWTSD said in November 2024 that the Lampeter campus costs £2.7m a year to run and the backlog maintenance and compliance costs for the campus were estimated at £33.5m. 'Long-term decline' in students at troubled university Students may leave uni over plan to move department Universities facing 'massive' financial challenges Almost 6,000 people signed a petition calling on the university to provide a "sustainable future for the historic campus" after it announced plans to move undergraduate teaching. Since March it has been meeting with stakeholders, including the council, to discuss "viable proposals" for the future of the campus. No details have been revealed about what kind of vocational training could be offered. In a joint statement, Bryan Davies, leader of the council, and Emlyn Dole, chairman of UWTSD council, said the work to develop the project was "ongoing". "This represents an exciting opportunity to explore how the university's Lampeter campus can continue to make a significant contribution to the regional economy and to the wider Lampeter community," they said. Mr Dole confirmed the university would retain ownership of the Lampeter campus. He said: "Regionally, it is vital, and it's important that we're front and centre." Mr Davies said the proposed centre was not designed to provide academic courses. "If you're going to draw students in to here it's going to be good for the local economy and for the young people who are perhaps going out of county for their vocational training," he added. The local authority and UWTSD have not revealed any further details about the project, but council cabinet members were asked on 3 June to back the purchase of a "strategic asset" funded through a loan from the Welsh government. The details of the asset have been kept secret and it is not clear whether this relates to the announcement about proposed vocational provision at Lampeter. A report presented at the meeting by Clive Davies, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and carbon management, said "the asset would form part of a wider development, for which a full integrated impact assessment will be produced and considered". Members authorised the purchase of the asset and agreed a further report be received following completion of the legal agreement to purchase it, to provide the public with more detail.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Lampeter campus plan at University of Wales Trinity St David site
Plans are being explored to develop post-16 vocational training at the University of Wales Trinity St protests in Lampeter and at the Senedd, the university confirmed in January that 200 years of undergraduate teaching would end in the Ceredigion town, with humanities courses being transferred to Carmarthen in September university previously said it was "not viable" to maintain the infrastructure of the campus with just 92 undergraduate plans for skills training at the site have been described as "very, very exciting" by the leader of Ceredigion council. Both University of Wales Trinity St David (UWTSD) and the council have confirmed they are in the "early stages of scoping opportunities" to develop skills and vocational provision at said in November 2024 that the Lampeter campus costs £2.7m a year to run and the backlog maintenance and compliance costs for the campus were estimated at £33.5m. Almost 6,000 people signed a petition calling on the university to provide a "sustainable future for the historic campus" after it announced plans to move undergraduate March it has been meeting with stakeholders, including the council, to discuss "viable proposals" for the future of the details have been revealed about what kind of vocational training could be offered. In a joint statement, Bryan Davies, leader of the council, and Emlyn Dole, chairman of UWTSD council, said the work to develop the project was "ongoing"."This represents an exciting opportunity to explore how the university's Lampeter campus can continue to make a significant contribution to the regional economy and to the wider Lampeter community," they said. Mr Dole confirmed the university would retain ownership of the Lampeter said: "Regionally, it is vital, and it's important that we're front and centre."Mr Davies said the proposed centre was not designed to provide academic courses."If you're going to draw students in to here it's going to be good for the local economy and for the young people who are perhaps going out of county for their vocational training," he added. The local authority and UWTSD have not revealed any further details about the project, but council cabinet members were asked on 3 June to back the purchase of a "strategic asset" funded through a loan from the Welsh details of the asset have been kept secret and it is not clear whether this relates to the announcement about proposed vocational provision at Lampeter.A report presented at the meeting by Clive Davies, cabinet member for economy, regeneration and carbon management, said "the asset would form part of a wider development, for which a full integrated impact assessment will be produced and considered".Members authorised the purchase of the asset and agreed a further report be received following completion of the legal agreement to purchase it, to provide the public with more detail.
Pembrokeshire Herald
18-05-2025
- Automotive
- Pembrokeshire Herald
WRU turmoil deepens as Ospreys and Scarlets remain unsigned
Trailblazing lecturer calls for change in male-dominated industry ABI PENNY, Senior Lecturer in Motorsport Engineering at the University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD), is calling for greater support to encourage more women into motorsport careers. With nearly two decades of teaching and hands-on experience in the field, Abi is determined to inspire the next generation of female engineers and challenge outdated stereotypes. 'Motorsport has been my passion for as long as I can remember,' she said. 'And I feel incredibly fortunate that it's become my career.' Abi has spent the past 18 years teaching Motorsport Engineering at UWTSD and says the industry has transformed during that time. From hybrid powertrains to advanced simulation and data modelling, engineering has become more diverse and dynamic than ever before. But one thing, she says, has remained stubbornly unchanged — the low number of women entering the profession. 'For years, I was the only woman in our motorsport department. Today, there are two of us, and nationally, women now make up around 10 per cent of the motorsport workforce — a small but significant step forward.' According to Abi, breaking the stereotype of the 'grease-covered mechanic' is key to making engineering more appealing and accessible to girls and young women. 'Engineering isn't just about spanners and overalls,' she explains. 'Modern motorsport includes roles in software, simulation, and data analysis. There's space in this industry for people with a wide range of skills and personalities. You can still love fashion, wear heels, and have amazing nails if you want — and still be a great engineer.' Abi credits her own success to the support of her rally-enthusiast father, a strong feminist mother, and inspiring maths teachers at Llangatwg Comprehensive and St John Baptist School. But she knows many young women don't get that same encouragement early on. 'There's been great progress in promoting STEM subjects, but we need to keep going. We need to show girls what's possible — that engineering is an exciting, well-paid, and global career with strong maternity support and genuine camaraderie.' She highlights initiatives such as F1 in Schools, Green Power, and Motorsport UK's Girls on Track programme as examples of what's working. At UWTSD, 10 per cent of current motorsport students are female — a milestone being celebrated with a series of events to foster a stronger community of women in the sector. UWTSD's BEng Motorsport Engineering programme, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, was the first of its kind in the world. Founded by former lecturer Roger Dowden, it has produced graduates who now work for leading names in the industry, including McLaren, Bentley, Ford, Toyota Gazoo Racing and Gordon Murray Automotive. 'Our course blends academic rigour with real-world experience,' Abi said. 'We work closely with industry to ensure our graduates are job-ready and in high demand.' Her message to the next generation is clear: 'You don't have to be a petrolhead to succeed. You just need curiosity, determination, and a belief in yourself. To any girl out there dreaming of motorsport — believe me when I say, you can do anything.'
South Wales Argus
09-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
University celebrates Outdoor Learning Week with activities
The University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD) held workshops and activities at Yr Egin's community garden and the Carmarthen campus Sports Hall. These sessions were all part of Wales Outdoor Learning Week 2025 and aimed to inspire the university students and primary school children who took part. Early years lecturer, Glenda Tinney, said: "Having a garden and other outdoor space to bring students to engage with the importance of outdoor learning is so important for early childhood students. "Exploring, being curious, and having authentic experiences in the natural world are key to young children's development. "Outdoor learning week reminds us how crucial it is for all of us to get outside and explore. "We look forward to more experiences in future, so we use the outdoors regularly throughout the term to support students' learning." Yr Egin's engagement manager, Llinos Jones, said: "It's inspiring to see students engaging directly with real communities and schoolchildren, putting their work into practice in meaningful ways. "The opportunity to co-deliver workshops helps them develop confidence, imagination, and a deeper understanding of the world around them. "The garden is a fantastic space for learning and connection."
