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Electronics & Communications

The telecommunications sector, a major employer of electronics graduates, has been at a low ebb over the past few years, although this may change with the uptake of third generation mobile phones. Recruitment into other areas of electronics, including consumer products such as home entertainment and computing equipment, has been hit by the world economic situation, although again there are signs of a recovery.

The Yorkshire and Humber region accounts for about 7% of companies, 7% of employment and 6% of sales in this sector. Annual sales of about £3.4bn are generated by a workforce of over 24,000. Nearly 60% of the workforce is employed by large companies (200+ employees), whilst less than 10% is employed by small companies (less than 11 employees), although they make up more than 80% of the company base. About 50% of the workforce is based in Leeds and Sheffield, but with major concentrations also in Bradford, Doncaster, Hull, York and Wakefield.

The electronics sector in the region covers a diverse range, including research, design and manufacture of communications equipment, home and car entertainment equipment, display technologies and specialist instrumentation, thus offering a wide range of opportunities to electronics graduates. Major employers include: Filtronic, Pace Micro Technology, Pioneer Technology and Ring. The telecommunications sector is well represented by companies such as Kingston Communications and Tunstall Telecom. The BBC is investing £25 million pounds in Kingston upon Hull to "develop (the) BBC's new local digital service Vision" (Greg Dyke, General Director, BBC).

Training initiatives in the region include "Electronics Yorkshire" based in Leeds and funded by Yorkshire Forward. Its mission includes providing industry-specific training that can be tailored to the needs of companies and individuals. In addition it aims to set up an all-encompassing electronics industry network, comprising members of the region's active electronics businesses and operatives and will include a student section. Development of the electronics sector in the region is supported by The York Electronics Centre, which provides practical, timely engineering solutions.

Useful links:

Digital Yorkshire

The Digital Cluster team at Yorkshire Forward, in partnership with industry, is dedicated to ensuring that the Yorkshire and Humber region becomes a globally recognised centre of digital industries.

Electronics Yorkshire

Supports and assists the growth of electronics across Yorkshire and the Humber.

e-Skills

The Sector Skills Council for IT, Telecoms and Contact Centres. Has useful career information and regional pages.

SEMTA

The Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies, including electronics.

York Electronics Centre

The York Electronics Centre offers an Electronic Design Service, providing practical, timely engineering solutions, utilising specialist expertise within York University.

info@yec.york.ac.uk