HARTING lends its support to the 2018 BrightSparks initiative

The UK has one of the worlds’ most innovative and influential electronics and embedded software industries. The BrightSparks programme, a collaboration between Electronics Weekly and RS Components, is an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of the next generation of talent and promote careers in technology and engineering.

As an official sponsor of the 2018 event, HARTING UK is also heavily involved in promoting and supporting this terrific initiative. The competition is open to UK-based engineers aged under 30 who have made a difference or shown significant promise in the early years of their career and is designed to highlight the accomplishments of young people from across the world of electronics.

As well as celebrating the success of the next generation of electronic engineers, it is hoped that raising the profile of these young achievers will inspire and encourage students to study science, technology, mathematics and engineering subjects at both school and university level. 

The UK will need an additional one million engineers by 2020, so projects like this are essential for highlighting the fantastic opportunities available and filling the engineering skills gap.

Nominations came in from a diverse range of sectors, including start-up founders, apprentices and engineers working in 5G. Entrants had to explain what they’ve achieved, what they’re most proud of and what inspired them and the judges were incredibly impressed by the passion and enthusiasm of these engineering BrightSparks.

The selection panel was made up of nine industry experts and they recently met up in London to cut the crop of nominations down to the final 30. One of those judging this year’s entries was Peter Hannon, Managing Director of HARTING UK, who explained why initiatives like BrightSparks are so important and why HARTING is an official supporter of the 2018 programme.

“As an employer, I am passionate about attracting and developing young engineering talent into our industry. We need to keep pushing the boundaries and encourage our young people to seek a career in engineering.”

“It is exciting, it makes you think but it is not always the first choice for a career. We need to change that and raising awareness with schemes like BrightSparks will only help us in this journey.”

Watch the video below to hear from some of the winners and judges of the 2018 BrightSparks initiative.

BrightSparks2018