MSc Industrial Digitalisation alumni recognised in list of 50 young manufacturers making the sector smarter

Three MSc Industrial Digitalisation alumni were recognised in the list

Three former MSc Industrial Digitalisation students from Manchester Metropolitan University have been named in The Manufacturer’s list of 50 young people making manufacturing in the UK smarter.

Former students Mark Chester, Elen Parry and Luke Hickson were recognised by The Manufacturer, a leading industry publication for those working in the manufacturing industry, as being some of the young people forging successful careers in the sector.

The publication teamed up with KTN Manufacturing to compile the list in celebration of National Apprenticeship Week earlier this month, with the hopes of inspiring the next generation of young manufacturers.

Mark Chester – Product Development Specialist at PrintCity Network

Since completing the MSc at Manchester Metropolitan, Mark Chester has gone on to work full-time at the University, within their dedicated additive and digital manufacturing hub, PrintCity.

Mark’s role as Product Development Specialist involves supporting businesses within Greater Manchester in developing new products and innovations using additive manufacturing, all as part of a new project named PrintCity Network.

He said: “It feels amazing to be named as one of KTN and The Manufacturer’s 50 Young People making manufacturing smarter, especially amongst some fantastic individuals and companies. 

“I believe I was named within the list because of my engagement and collaboration with small and medium sized enterprises in Greater Manchester, helping them in adopting digital manufacturing and pushing forward innovation.

“Studying on the MSc Industrial Digitisation course provided me with the necessary skills and knowledge to support businesses in my current role, being named within this list highlights the fact that the course is extremely forward-thinking.”

Elen Parry – Currently completing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering at PrintCity

Elen Parry has also stayed on at the University and is currently completing her PhD in Biomedical Engineering.

Her work centres around using additive manufacturing techniques for the innovation of medical devices and assistive product industries, with one example of her work being a 3D printed device for crutches, which aims to help crutch users who have arthritis.

Elen said about being named in the top 50 list: “I think it is important for young people to be given the chance to share their ideas, which is why this feature was so significant and why I was happy to be chosen to be a part of it.

“It is refreshing to see a diverse group of people in this list and I’m sure it will be reaffirming to many that a career in manufacturing can stem from many different educational backgrounds.”

Luke Hickson – Design Development Engineer at Fabricon Design

Luke Hickson has also gone on to forge a successful career in manufacturing, working as a Design Development Engineer at Fabricon Design – a role which he secured through a placement with the company.

Luke said in the article that it is the ‘fast-paced and creative environment’ that makes manufacturing such a rewarding career to go into, and that ‘no day is the same’.

If you are interested in a career in manufacturing and would like to find out more about the MSc Industrial Digitalisation course, click here.

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