b'Member News March 2022 13The future of engineeringIET Futures FundFor many, the close association with the IET continues, serving as It is undeniable the IET bursary played a hugevolunteers in many different capacities. role in my recent academic achievements.We havent done this alone. Originally The boost of confidence and self-esteem funded solely by the IET, since 2014 I experienced being chosen to receive this37 companies, charities and individuals award is indescribable and really helpshave joined us in supporting both the tackle imposter syndrome. I am extremelyscholarships and bursaries. grateful for this opportunity. Graham Tubbs CEng FIET and his wife Kathleen have personally supported11 students and apprentices since Ikrame Bezzaid, Biomedical Engineering student2016, many from his beloved South and IET Engineering Horizons Bursary recipient. Wales. He succinctly said:In a year spent largely under lockdown,Eight years after the firstWe are making an impactalmost 500 students and apprenticesundergraduates received a Diamondon engineering students lives.have been better able to focus on theirJubilee Scholarship and five after the studies, buy the laptops and softwarefirst Engineering Horizons Bursary was they needed to study online, pay forawarded, we are celebrating these transport, childcare and cut down theirsuccessful programmes and looking hours working to support themselves,ahead to the future.thanks to an IET award.Dr Paul Gosling FREng FIET, CTOMany described the loneliness andWe are delighted toof Thales, said: isolation of studying wholly online and with health fears for themselves andhave reached the their families.As a company producing cutting They told us watching IET webinars,milestone of makingedge technology we need to go out and seek talented Local Network events and STEMour 1,500th awardindividuals who may not volunteering opportunities suchotherwise find us. As a parent as virtual judging of FIRST LEGOat the end of ourI recognise how hard it is for League tournaments has helpedyoung people to put themselves support students and bring a sense of150th anniversary. through studies now compared community as well as provide some relief from worries about rent and food. to when I was a student.Intended to support undergraduates and apprentices through their By the end of summer 2021, 72% ofengineering studies and into their firstThales supports five engineering those who graduated or completedsteps in the sector, there are nowstudents each year.their apprenticeship that year werehundreds of graduates from these employed in or had gone on tosister programmes making their mark post-graduate study in engineeringin companies from start-ups to theWe have reflected on the changing and technology. biggest household brands. needs and concerns of our sector and wider society. We want to build on the 89% In return, award recipients have put insuccess of what we already offer to 72% thousands of hours of voluntary workstudents and apprentices starting out running STEM programmes, tutoringon their careers and so from this year End of Between younger students, being role modelsthere will be one award programme Summer 2021 2017-2020 and even founding their own charities. called The IET Future Talent Awards.This figure rises to 89% of those whoFind out more and donate at theiet.org/futuresfundgraduated between 2017 and 2020. or contact development@theiet.org'