Lift industry training and academic education workshop: academic qualifications

The University of Northampton (UoN) offers an academic provision in Lift Engineering aimed at a specialist engineering education closely linked to the needs of the lift industry. The provision has been developed in partnership with, and receives strong support from, the Lift and Escalator Industry Association (LEIA). The programme includes the following ‘taught’ courses: - Higher National Certificate in Lift Engineering (HNC), - Foundation Degree (FdSc) in Lift Engineering, - Masters (MSc) Lift Engineering. The Foundation Degree and Higher National Certificate awards, taught entirely by distance learning, provide educational underpinning for the Lift Engineering technician career path [1] (see the diagram in Figure 1). The HNC [2] and FdSc [3] have a modular structure covering the fundamentals of engineering, including mechanical, electrical, electronic and hydraulic engineering design and analysis. Examples used are taken from the lift industry to ensure that the course remains relevant and up to date for this diverse sector. The concepts of contract management and business are also included into the programme, and students undertake a work based project focussing on an area of their choice. The path forms a bridge to the MSc [4] and to the research degree programme (Doctorate/ Masters by research). Students are also able to proceed to a general undergraduate Engineering degree course (BSc Hons [5]).