Professor Jon Preece iterviewed for "Solution for our Future" programme
Professor Jon Preece interviewed for Solutions for our Future

Jon Preece, Professor of Nanoscale Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, recently discussed the benefits of industrial placements for university students in Solutions For Our Future, a current affairs-style programmes focused on the UK chemical industry.

Discussing the School of Chemistry's industrial placement scheme with the chemical manufacturer Robinsons Brothers, Professor Preece said:

"They [chemistry students] come to industry for 12 months on a full salary and pick up many technical skills. but more importantly they mature tremendously by working with trained professionals and become highly motivated.

"What's been particularly exciting over the last few years is that three of our students have gone on to gain employment full time with Robinsons Brothers after their degree."

Developed by the Chemical Industries Association (CIA) and ITN Productions, Solutions for our Future is a new current affairs-style programme which reports on the contribution made by the chemical industry to the UK economy.

Professor Preece is featured in an episode which focuses on the industrial placements and apprenticeships Robinsons Brothers offers and the contribution its workforce is making to addressing the major challenges facing our world.

The School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham has undertaken world-leading research for over a century and remains at the fore-front of scientific discovery, as has been recognised in the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, where all of our research outputs have been graded as internationally recognised, with over 95% being classed as internationally excellent or world-leading.

The School has ambitious plans to grow research activity; combined with investment from the University for the new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (opened September 2018) and Molecular Sciences Research Building (opening in 2022), the School is entering an exciting period.

You can watch the full episode on YouTube by following the link below:

Solutions for our Future - Robinsons Brothers