How we work
Knowledge about materials is classed as one of the most crucial areas of technology for the future. Materials research will continue to play a decisive role in our social development, as it has done ever since the Stone Age.
Steel industry in great need of highly educated people
The success of the Swedish steel industry is based on the capacity to produce advanced steels. In order to retain the leading positions that these steel companies have acquired there is a requirement for well-trained persons who are able to continue to develop steel.
Another important area where the Swedish steel industry has come a long way is that of process development. The object of this development is, through maximum utilisation of resources as rapidly and safely as possible and with a minimal environmental impact, to manufacture ever better products.
Already today there is a great demand for Master of Science in Engineering graduates with knowledge of materials science and process engineering – and this demand is expected to increase in line with a steadily growing demand for new, specially designed materials.
Masters of Science in Engineering are in demand
Competition for skilled engineers is intense. Moreover, many of today’s materials engineers are set to retire within a few years. The employment prospects for future materials engineers look very bright – and it is not only in the steel industry that they are required. Sectors where knowledge of materials science and process engineering are in demand include the following:
- steel and metals industry
- forest industry
- plastics and chemical industries
- motor industry
- electronics industry
- engineering industry
- medical device industry
Our task
Jernkontoret is working together with the steel companies to increase interest in those educational programmes that meet the requirements of the steel industry. Two of our goals with this work are to ensure:
- that education of engineers and researchers with knowledge of materials science and steel industry processes is sufficient to meet the demand
- that the Masters Programmes in Materials Design (KTH in Stockholm and Högskolan Dalarna in Borlänge) and Sustainable Process Engineering (Luleå University of Technology) are maintained on a long-term basis.
What we do
We frequently act together with the steel companies and/or the centres of higher education. Here are certain examples of what we do for students and teachers:
- We offer bursaries to those who choose the Master of Science in Engineering programmes in Material Design and Sustainable Process Engineering.
- We produce educational and information material, e.g. web information, course books, information brochures and a factual dvd on steel (FerrumCity).
- We strengthen the recruitment and marketing inputs of the centres of higher education. We are involved e.g. when universities with Materials Science Engineering programmes arrange visit days for upper secondary students, or when representatives from universities visit upper secondary schools.
- We arrange an ice-hockey tournament for girls, the Stålbucklan Cup.
- We inform vocational counsellors.
Besides the direct support to Engineering programmes, we also monitor and influence research and education policies as well as the education at universities and institutes of technology – both in terms of quality and quantity.
It is important that the state has a central role in looking after the steel industry’s interests in respect of the provision of specialised Master of Science in Engineering programmes of high international standard, like the programmes mentioned above. This requires that the basic funding of the higher education centres in Sweden is at least of a similar level as in other countries.
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