News & Information

University expertise is now even more accessible to business thanks to a new Aerospace brochure launched at Paris Air Show 2005. The event showcased the new Airbus A380, which benefited from the wealth of world class expertise available within the region.

"This brochure is a timely addition to the work that WEAF already carries out and clearly illustrates the variety of ways in which universities in the region can help your business. It highlights the breadth and depth of aerospace expertise that can be found within the region and it is obvious that there is a great deal our universities have to offer in the way of services to business." - Howard Chesterton, Chief Executive of the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF)

Please click here to download a copy of the brochure.

An Unrivalled Offer - University Aerospace Expertise in South West England

The Universities of South West England offer an unrivalled depth and variety of aerospace expertise through research, teaching and business support activities.

They continue a long history of developing some of the industry's most innovative techniques and highly skilled employees, in one of the world's most important aerospace regions. South West England is an excellent location for aerospace-related businesses, with world-class (prime) contractors, a supply chain of over 700 businesses and the West of England Aerospace Forum (WEAF). The strong collaboration between the region's Universities and business help to make it even better, based on successful research and commercial collaborations and the development of a highly skilled workforce to meet the future demands of the industry.

Surprisingly, businesses are often unaware of the wide range of expertise and resources available in Universities. This brochure spells out the advantages of University-business collaboration, highlighting three main areas you can access now.


Access to highly skilled employees
- High quality training and Continuous Professional Development (CPD) Programmes.
- Helping businesses spot talent and place ambitious students and graduates to solve particular problems or meet business needs.
- gradsouthwest.com - a free web-based service allows you to advertise your requirements and access the students and graduates your business requires.


Access to new ideas & technologies
- Businesses can develop more pre-competitive research and spread risk by expanding research horizons through tailored research projects and specialist consultancy.
- Access to sophisticated technologies and resources without the need for major capital expenditure, enables the development of new business and manufacturing solutions.
- Networking links provide the opportunity to stay up to date with cutting edge developments from across the world.


Access to Commercial Opportunities
- Business gateways in all of the region's Universities provide opportunities to purchase technology licenses, and a exploit a variety of patents whilst advising on Intellectual Property (IP) management.
- Spin-out companies offer your business new services and technologies as well as investment opportunities for Venture Capitalists and Business Angels.
- University supported incubator units and science parks provide integrated business support and resources for innovative new businesses operating throughout the supply chain.


Also available, through the Inspire SW project, are number of short films about some of the research being carried out by Universities in the region:

Please click here to find out more about micro-aircraft.

Please click here to learn about composite wing structures.


For further information about University assistance for businesses in the aerospace industry and other sectors contact HERDA-SW. (Image courtesy of Airbus S.A.S.) Contact
Steve Schofield
T: 01392 454100
E: herda-sw@southwestrda.org.uk