Engineering Sheffield's future
When industry expertise meets academic excellence, powerful things happen. Discover how a partnership between the University of Sheffield and John Crane is creating opportunities for students and strengthening the region’s engineering future.
The University’s relationship with John Crane in the UK demonstrates what’s possible when industry leaders and a world-class university share a commitment to innovation, opportunity, and regional growth.
The engineering leader has worked closely with academics and students to offer internships, sponsor PhDs, and contribute its expertise to research. The success of these existing joint initiatives has led the organisation to explore new ways to make a difference.
When they met students involved in the Sheffield Engineering Leadership and Service Award (SELSA), they were inspired by the talent, commitment and potential they saw.
SELSA is a leadership development programme for undergraduate students designed to address the UK skills gap in engineering. It combines academic excellence with real-world problem-solving, community engagement and personal development; all qualities that prepare them to thrive in industry post-graduation.
My internship at John Crane has been nothing but rewarding. I’m gaining exposure to a global business which links perfectly to my degree and seeing how what I’ve learned at university applies in a real business context.
James Dobinson
Business Management student
Industrial backing for student group
John Crane was so impressed that it made the decision to further support the SELSA programme with a £5000 contribution. They also supported practical engineering activities with a further £20,000.
“Creativity and technical expertise are the foundations of innovation,” says Innovation Director Klaus-D. Meck. “We’re proud to support these students and share our passion for engineering with the talent of tomorrow.”
This partnership represents meaningful investment in the regional ecosystem. Talented students gain essential, real-world experience, encouraging them to remain and contribute to the local economy after graduation. This, in turn, helps build a strong, highly skilled talent pipeline for businesses like John Crane UK.
It’s about more than just developing exceptional graduates — it’s about engineering a prosperous and sustainable future for Sheffield and the wider region.