Advanced Actuators, a leading manufacturer of electro-hydraulic and hydraulic actuators, showed its commitment to developing the future of hydraulic engineering by partnering with the University of Bradford on a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) to employ a graduate on a two year, part-funded government project.
KTP is a national programme supporting UK businesses to innovate and grow by partnering with UK universities and colleges to gain access to the technology, expertise and skills available.
Chosen graduate, Evangelia Tsasliagkou has been hired as a mechatronics development engineer to work on the design and prototyping of power generators for remote valve actuation. Evangelia said she is thrilled with the progress of the project and is enjoying her time working at Advanced Actuators.
“Advanced has provided my first step onto the career ladder and for that I am very thankful! It’s a competitive world, and experience is vital,” Tsasliagkou continued.
Chris Woodhead, managing director of Advanced Actuators, said: “We are pleased with the results that have come from partnering with the University of Bradford. There was such a high calibre of graduates who applied for the project and I believe we can provide work place training which will advance their specialist skills. Recruitment schemes like KTPs are essential for the future of our industry.”
Woodhead added: “The partnership has also allowed us to develop our business by linking with academia. We have full access to the University’s facilities and can tap into their knowledge by meeting with academics and testing their machinery.”
Business partnerships manager at the University of Bradford, Melanie Powell, added: “We were delighted when Chris approached us about our academic and research facilities. Their current project will last two years and there is funding in place for a second graduate to work for the company in 2015 for another two years.
“Advanced Actuators has also worked with us through Yorkshire Innovation Fund projects. The company has run both small innovation and research and development projects at the University.”
