In an era of rapid technological advancement and skills shortages, placements and internships have evolved from mere resume boosters to critical talent pipelines for forward-thinking organisations. At the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre (AMIC), we view work-based learning as a strategic imperative that bridges skills gaps, fosters innovation, and cultivates a diverse, future-ready workforce.

The numbers speak for themselves: leading firms report a 71.4% intern retention rate (Abode, 2022). For every £1 invested in structured placements, employers see £3–£5 in return (NCUB, 2024), proof that these programmes deliver measurable value for both organisations and the next generation of talent.

Building a Talent Pipeline Through Real-World Experience

Placements allow organisations to "try before hiring", a win-win for students and employers. Take Patrick Hammond, who joined AMIC as a placement student and is now an Automation Project Engineer: "The hands-on R&D experience at AMIC showed me exactly where I wanted to start my career ." Like Patrick, many interns discover their passion through practical experience while giving companies like ours a low-risk way to assess cultural fit and technical potential.

The benefits go both ways. While interns gain industry-specific skills, AMIC teams benefit from fresh perspectives in high-demand areas like AI, data analytics, and smart factory solutions. As one of our robotics interns, Niall Hynds, puts it: "There’s no better way to learn than being thrown into real work scenarios. I’ve gained the confidence to pursue R&D careers I hadn’t even considered before."

Bridging Critical Skills Gaps

With Northern Ireland's Skills Barometer forecasting a shortage of 5,400 workers annually in key sectors, AMIC is tackling this challenge head-on by strategically aligning placements with critical industry priorities. Our partnership with Composites UK through the Skills Pledge addresses the growing demand for expertise in sustainable polymers and composites, while collaborative research with the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre helps shape our digital factory placements to meet emerging Industry 4.0 needs. In robotics and automation, where interns like Niall contribute to real R&D projects, we are developing the next generation of specialists to drive innovation in this rapidly evolving field. These focused placement programmes ensure we are not just filling current skills gaps, but actively building Northern Ireland's advanced manufacturing capabilities for the future.

"Placement students help us prototype solutions for emerging challenges like cybersecurity and AI integration," explains Jenny McAuley, our Skills Lead.

This hands-on approach not only fills immediate skills needs but builds our future talent pipeline, with 52.7% of manufacturing interns transitioning to full-time roles, proving the model’s effectiveness (LinkedIn, 2024).

ROI Beyond Recruitment

The impact extends far beyond hiring. Placements significantly strengthen employer branding, with 80% of companies identifying internships as their highest-ROI talent initiative according to NACE's 2023 research. Perhaps more importantly, they democratise access to careers in advanced manufacturing, creating pathways for underrepresented groups who might not otherwise consider the sector. Simultaneously, placements accelerate the development of future-ready skills that traditional education often struggles to address - from adaptability in fast-changing technical environments to hands-on digital literacy with emerging Industry 4.0 technologies. This multifaceted value proposition makes placements not just a recruitment tool, but a strategic investment in both organisational capacity and sector-wide growth.

Tejas Jadhav, an Operations intern, shares: "Working with experts taught me more than any classroom. I arrived unsure how I'd fit in an industrial setting, but now I'm confident pursuing operations roles." 

This sentiment echoes across our programmes, from students gaining technical skills to organisations discovering their next generation of leaders.

A Call to Action for Industry

To other organisations considering placements:

1. Start small - Summer internships or shared cluster models can be low-commitment entry points
2. Leverage support - AMIC offers guidance to streamline administration
3. Think long-term - Like Patrick Hammond, who returned to AMIC as an Automation Project Engineer after his placement: "The professional environment prepared me better than any classroom. Now I'm working on the same cutting-edge projects I admired as a student."

At AMIC, placements are more than a program; they are a strategic partnership shaping the future of advanced manufacturing. By investing in work-based learning today, we are not just filling roles; we are designing the innovative, skilled workforce of tomorrow.

Interested in partnering or applying? Contact Skills Lead Jenny McAuley at J.McAuley@qub.ac.uk to discover how placements can transform your organisation or launch your career.