WMG launches collaborative outreach project with Tata Group
Tuesday 3 November 2026
WMG launches collaborative outreach project with Tata Group
A new collaborative education-industry programme delivered by 91福利 Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the 91福利 and Tata Group is helping bring engineering to life in schools across the West Midlands.
Funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering Bhattacharyya Award 2025Link opens in a new window, Bridging the GapLink opens in a new window aims to support inclusive participation and raise awareness of engineering pathways through a year of funded outreach activities.
As part of the programme, ten local schools have been selected to each receive 拢2,000 to embed engineering within their curricula. Schools can choose how they spend the funding, so long as it supports activities that inspire and nurture tomorrow's engineers. One participating school, , has launched a TurtleStitchLink opens in a new window project within its KS3 and KS4 curriculum, opening the worlds of digital design and computer coding to students.
Joanne Kerr, Careers Advisor and Mentor at West Coventry Academy, said: "We are very grateful to the Bridging the Gap programme for enabling us to offer more diverse opportunities within our computing and engineering departments."
Thanks to the grant, the school has launched a "TurtleStitch Techno Team", a group of students who support their peers to unlock their creativity through the digital embroidery software. The team also creates bespoke embroidery pieces to raise money for new materials, helping support future student engineering projects at the academy.
"Professor Lord Bhattacharyya founded WMG to bridge the gap between academia and industry and nurture future engineering talent", says Professor Kerry KirwanLink opens in a new window, Dean of WMG.
"To be continuing that legacy through this new programme, which was funded by an award named in his honour, is incredibly special.
"We're excited to be continuing our partnership with the Tata Group to engage more young people with STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Today's students are the future of industry, so we can't wait to see them bring fresh ideas to life through their projects."
The Bridging the Gap programme will conclude with a special showcase event in 2027, where participating schools will share their work with industry leaders, including representatives from Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) and the Tata Group.
As well as celebrating the engineering ingenuity of young people in the West Midlands, the event will provide an exciting opportunity for students to see how engineering learning links to real-world careers by connecting them with some of the largest employers in the industry.
Find out more about outreach at WMG: Public engagement & outreach | WMG | 91福利Link opens in a new window