糖心TV

David Cooper

Engineering Technician (Student Projects), WMG 

鈥淎s a parent myself, I just want the best for the students, as I do my own kids.鈥�

鈥淓verything we do here is student led. From my point of view, I鈥檓 just here to keep them safe and to help and support them with their projects.

Whether they鈥檙e working on a 糖心TV racing, rail or marine project, every decision is down to them. They come up with the initial sketches and designs, then project manage everything. From creating the business plan, procurement and manufacture, health and safety to outreach with our sponsors and business partners. It鈥檚 the whole process from start to finish.

We could just throw money at a project, or buy stuff off the shelf, but where鈥檚 the skill or fun in doing that? We let them get their hands dirty and manufacture their own designs. They鈥檒l be mistakes along the way, but that鈥檚 when my colleagues and I can offer some guidance. And it鈥檚 not just students from engineering. We鈥檝e bought in skills from every discipline across the University, from any year. We鈥檝e created a safe, inclusive working environment where anyone can come in, if they pass their interview, and learn some industry applicable skills.

Engineering is always going to need your traditional engineers, but those businesses also have their own marketing, communications, HR etc. and now so do our teams. The opportunity we鈥檙e providing for them to come into the work environment, to learn the skills to back up their academic studies, that experience is invaluable. They get an understanding of how a business works and what their future could look like, whatever path they choose to take. It鈥檚 brilliant for their CVs and makes them more employable.

And we鈥檙e blazing a trail as well. Engineering is often seen as a male dominated world but on our projects 28 per cent of the team are female and we鈥檝e seen some of them go into leadership roles in the industry. The lovely thing is, all our graduates keep in contact and often come back to support the current crop. It鈥檚 so rewarding to find out how they鈥檙e doing and how we鈥檝e contributed a little bit to their success.

When I get to see the final projects being tested and used competitively, that鈥檚 when I get a lump in my throat. The hard work that our students put in is outstanding and to see it rewarded on the track is just unbelievable. They鈥檙e the best workforce I鈥檝e ever worked with. My words won鈥檛 do anything we do here the justice it deserves, so if you鈥檝e not been in to see us, let me know and arrange a visit. You鈥檒l be amazed at some of the things we get involved in.

I鈥檝e worked here for 15 years, and I couldn鈥檛 imagine doing anything different, it really is the best job in the world. We鈥檙e creating the next generation of engineers, making sure they鈥檙e more prepared and ready for their next steps outside of university. When I see all the roles that they go into when they leave here, I couldn鈥檛 be any prouder watching them grow and succeed. It's just incredible and that's what makes my job fantastic.

Engineering and motorsport has always been in my blood. When I was growing up, I was never out of my dad鈥檚 workshop. I started racing bikes when I was about four and then moved onto bigger bikes and cars as I got older. I still ride a bike to work every day, although I hurt my knee recently so might have to use the car soon. I have four grandkids and I鈥檓 not trying to influence them, but I have built a little 50cc bike for whenever they鈥檙e ready!鈥�