Partnership with local firm brings boost to students and region
When industry expertise meets academic excellence, powerful things happen. Discover how a partnership between the University of Sheffield and John Crane UK is creating opportunity for students and strengthening the region’s engineering future.
The University’s relationship with John Crane UK shows what’s possible when industry leaders and a world-class university share a commitment to innovation, opportunity, and regional growth.
The local engineering firm has collaborated closely with academics and students to offer internships, sponsor PhDs, and contribute their expertise to research. The success of these existing joint initiatives led the organisation to look for 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 UK were so impressed that they made the generous decision to bolster the SELSA programme with a £5k gift. They also supported practical engineering activities with a further £20k.
“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 a powerful 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, translates directly into a highly skilled recruitment pipeline for businesses like John Crane UK.
It’s about more than just developing exceptional graduates — it’s engineering a prosperous and sustainable future for our city and the entire region.