XMOS supports scholarship programme

XMOS is the youngest firm to partner with the UKESF. The technology behind the company was originally developed at Bristol University and they maintain strong links with the academic community. XMOS cited the ability to identify and access the best graduate talent at an early stage, and the competitive edge this gives them, as being crucial in its decision to join the UKESF.

The 2013 ESCO report calculated the UK’s electronic systems industry to be worth £78bn to the economy, employing approximately 850,000 skilled workers, with ambitions to grow this to £120bn and 1m people by 2020. However, the ESCO report also highlighted the then 47% drop in the number of UK students undertaking electronic engineering degree courses at British universities since 2002 as a significant threat to the industry.

"XMOS is at the forefront of innovative technology. We therefore recognise the need to create and maintain a large talent pool for our - and the industry’s - future growth and we value the fresh and innovative ideas that smart young graduates can bring to a business. The UKESF offers us a ready-made programme of activities to facilitate our engagement with school pupils and university students and we will be offering our first UKESF scholarships this year to attract more of them to join XMOS," comments Nigel Toon, CEO, XMOS.

Indro Mukerjee, Chairman, UKESF, and CEO, Plastic Logic, said: “It’s fantastic to have a company like XMOS on board. It is a young company and a great example showing that the UK still provides an environment for new enterprises to flourish, sending out an inspirational message that a degree in engineering provides the knowledge and skills to grow and develop ideas into global businesses.”