A successful career aspirations event was held at Sherwood Observatory last week (24th March) to demonstrate the wide range of science and technology career opportunities available for local secondary school students aged 14-18 from Ashfield.

Run by Ideas4Careers in partnership with NTU, with the theme ‘Reach for the Stars’, the event saw over 25 local science and technology exhibitors gather for the day, from the RAF Youth STEM team, Hucknall Air Museum and local businesses including ITP Aero, Glenair, Dassault Systemes, Environment Agency, GXO, Connect Fibre, Flannery, ATTFE, Mesh Training and further and higher education partners from the sector including robotics from West Notts College.

In addition, the attending schools took part in a series of planetarium shows and hands-on activities throughout the day from various science and technology providers.

The successful event was part of the Aspiring Careers Ashfield project led by Ideas4Careers, funded by Ashfield District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, and supported by NTU’s School of Science & Technology. The event also received a donation from the RAF for equipment for the Observatory. It is hoped that the event will become a main stay in the academic calendar in the future.

Jon Wright, Undergraduate Course Leader for Forensic Science at Nottingham Trent University, and also Outreach Co-ordinator for the School of Science & Technology said: “We have been overwhelmed at the response we’ve had to this event, both from the schools attending and the exhibitors. It’s really shown that there is an appetite for careers in STEM in the local area, and we hope we’ve been able to give some young people real options for the future.”

Michelle Taylor, Managing Director, Ideas4Careers said: “The event was a resounding success, providing students with engaging interactions that sparked their interest in STEM. We are excited about the positive impact it has had on the students’ interest in science and technology careers as well as broadening their knowledge of related industries here in Ashfield. Exhibitors from various industries were thrilled to share valuable insights into career paths and practical applications of STEM skills, while also highlighting the importance of these roles in today’s world. This  was education/business collaboration at its best. We hope the success of this event will lead to future events.”

Cllr Arnie Hankin, Chairman of Ashfield District Council said: “This event was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exciting career paths available for students in science and technology. It was great to be able to hold it at the newly opened Sherwood Observatory which provided a fitting backdrop to the event. By connecting students with industry professionals, we are helping to build a strong, skilled, and diverse workforce that will benefit the future of Ashfield.”

Feedback from the day included:

“Great planetarium experience and lots of great career advice and pathways available”

“I liked looking at the fingerprints and discovering which one was mine”

“Lots of opportunities to learn and see new technology”

“My most enjoyed activity was the VR car”

“I liked the 3D in person gravity sketch, could see myself working in 3D modelling”

Body image and quality of life among transgender men could be improved with more gender-focused care, according to research by Nottingham Trent University in the UK and Breda University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands.

The study questioned 166 trans men on aspects of gender congruence – the feeling of harmony between a person’s gender identity (how they see themselves) and their physical appearance or how others perceive them; and body satisfaction.

In a unique approach, it also measured quality of life across four areas; physiological; psychological; social; and environmental.

Findings showed that when trans men feel that their gender identity matches their appearance, they are happier with their bodies and overall wellbeing.

In relation to quality of life, feeling good about their gender was seen to help trans men with their physical health, mental health, and feeling safe in their environment.

However, gender congruence was not seen to impact on their social lives, possibly reflecting the unique shared-experience bonds formed among this community.

Dr Liam Cahill, lead researcher and senior lecturer in LGBTQ+ Psychology at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “While research already shows a link between gender congruence and body satisfaction, their intersection with quality of life for trans men has so far been neglected. Understanding this complex relationship is critical to developing the right support for trans men.”

The study also examined how gender-affirming care, like hormone therapy and chest surgery, affects quality of life, gender congruence, and body satisfaction. Both types of care significantly improved gender congruence and indirectly boosted body satisfaction. Chest surgery was linked to better physical, mental, and environmental quality of life, while hormone therapy improved mental and environmental quality of life.

Dr Cahill added: “Gender-affirming care might not change how people see their bodies directly. Instead, it helps their physical appearance match their gender identity, which is crucial for feeling satisfied with their bodies. These findings highlight the need for accessible gender-focused care that supports both gender congruence and body satisfaction, helping to improve the overall well-being of trans men.”

Understanding the Role of Gender Congruence and Affirming Care in Trans Men’s Body Image and Quality of Life by Dr Liam Cahill, Chase Staras, Dr Treshi-Marie Perera, Dr Beth Jones, and Professor Daragh McDermott is available to read via the International Journal of Transgender Health.

Hosted at the NTU Mansfield Hub on the West Notts College campus, commencing in September 2025

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) in Mansfield is launching a new BA (Hons) Social Work degree commencing study in September 2025.

The three year full-time undergraduate degree will allow students to study on-site at NTU’s Mansfield Hub for the first time – previously only available on NTU’s City campus.

Students will be able to learn all the theory and practical skills needed for a career as a social worker, delivered by experts with over 170 years’ professional experience in the sector.

The course will give students the opportunity to develop new perspectives and challenge ideas from a wide range of sources including employers and local social work partners, and on graduation, will have a deep understanding of current practice.

Topics covered include the impact of digital tools in social work, from online assessments to communicating with service users through text and WhatsApp, how to understand human behaviour, responses to trauma and loss, and views on family and society.

Learning will comprise of a mixture of lectures, seminars, and workshops together with using some of the latest technology available to re-create real-world scenarios and case studies. However, study isn’t limited to the classroom, as there is a guaranteed 170 days of practice placements included as standard in years two and three.

There is also the potential for 10 students to be sponsored by Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) for the duration of the course – with a bursary to pay course fees each year for three years and £2,000 per year contribution towards living expenses.

As part of the sponsorship, for these 10 students, Nottinghamshire County Council will guarantee two practice education placements in the Children and Families Department or Adult Social Care and Health Department. Upon graduation, employment opportunities will be offered with Nottinghamshire County Council in Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw.

To be eligible for sponsorship, prospective students must:

• Live in Nottinghamshire, or
• Be a Nottinghamshire County Council employee, and
• Agree to work for Nottinghamshire County Council as a social worker for three years after successfully completing the course

Nottinghamshire County Council will select successful recipients from the pool of eligible applicants.

Simon Cauvain, Head of Social Work, Care and Community at Nottingham Trent University said: “This course is a fantastic opportunity to make a difference in the Mansfield, Ashfield or Bassetlaw communities, where there is a need for qualified social workers. Social work is a challenging career, but hugely rewarding, and this course will give students the best preparation possible to become a professional social worker and be able to tackle big issues to help individuals and families in the local community.”

“Our social work degree isn’t just a course, it’s a chance to reflect on your own ideas and challenge yourself, and make you more resilient, determined and give you the passion to work in the sector. You’ll join the social work family, develop new connections and benefit from our years of experience and links in the industry.”

Colin Pettigrew, Executive Director for Children, Families and Cultural Services at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “Nottinghamshire County Council is delighted to both be part of the partnership with NTU and West Notts College and to co-design this innovative programme. It is important that Social Workers and other public servants: teachers, nurses, police officers are representative of the communities that they serve and this degree will give people living in and around Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw not only the chance to study at degree level but also give them every opportunity to secure a professional qualification and a career at the end of it. Making a difference to local children, families and vulnerable adults.”

Andrew Cropley MBE, Principal and Chief Executive at West Nottinghamshire College said: “I am delighted that we have played a small part in creating another great opportunity for local people to access rewarding, well-paid and skilled careers, whilst meeting a very important skills need. I hope that our Access to Higher Education programme might provide a first step for some into these courses.”

A spinout company from Cardiff Metropolitan University has secured investment from Development Bank Wales to build a powerful new form of imaging technology that could revolutionise the way people view and make images.

The partnership between Fovo Technology Ltd. (Fovotec) and Development Bank Wales – a major provider of investment funds and commercialisation expertise – will enable the development of Dynamic Projection.

Based on research from artists and scientists into how human vision works, ‘Dynamic Projection’ allows technology to generate images that are closer to how humans ‘see’.

Fovotec, which was founded in 2017 by interdisciplinary academics at Cardiff Met, has so far secured 15 international patents to protect its novel process, with several more pending.

The range of potential applications is vast and includes computer games, smartphone cameras, cinematography, medical imaging, security, defence and communications.

Dr Robert Pepperell, Co-Founder of Fovotec and Professor of Fine Art at Cardiff Metropolitan University, said: “It’s taken many years to solve the problem of how to make wide angle images look natural in imaging media.

“This new investment from Development Bank Wales creates an incredibly exciting opportunity to deliver Fovotec’s solution to leading technology companies around the world. We do not think it will be long before we see Fovotec’s Dynamic Projection appearing in computer games titles and other consumer technologies.”

Development Bank Wales and Fovotec are now exploring opportunities with major technology companies to integrate Fovotec’s Dynamic Projection tools into leading brand products.

Chairman of Fovotec, Frank Holmes, said: “We have witnessed the evolution of this patented invention from its early conception and are hugely excited about its extensive commercialisation prospects, some of which are imminent.

” Professor Sheldon Hanton, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research and Innovation at Cardiff Metropolitan University, added: “Cardiff Met is very much at the forefront of imaging innovation globally and this significant investment from Development Bank Wales will enable our academics to continue to develop this groundbreaking technology.”

Adam Ramzaan, Investment Executive at the Development Bank of Wales said: “We’re thrilled to be supporting Fovotec at this exciting stage of their journey. Their pioneering work in human-centred imaging and real-time rendering technology has the potential to transform industries. This investment reflects our strong belief in the team’s vision, technical excellence, and commercial potential.”

Parents of children with dyslexia feel that the condition is largely ‘invisible’ in schools, with a lack of recognition leading to inconsistent and ineffective support.

A study carried out by researchers at Nottingham Trent University (NTU) and the University of Birmingham explored the real-life experiences of parents and teachers regarding children who have reading and writing difficulties, and whether a formal diagnosis of dyslexia improves support.

Findings of interviews with 39 participants highlighted a disconnect between parents’ concerns for their children’s long-term wellbeing and teachers’ focus on short-term classroom management. The study identified 40 factors that appeared to work in different combinations to influence if a child’s access to education was on a positive or negative trajectory.

The families saw dyslexia as something that affects not just reading and writing skills, but also their child’s confidence, ability to learn in the usual school environment, their overall wellbeing, and importantly their inclusion. They felt that their children were not truly included and supported, leading to a loss of independence and frustration for both the children and their parents.

While teachers acknowledged the need for literacy support, their perspectives were often shaped by the immediate need to manage a diverse group of learners within existing policies and resource limitations. Their focus tended to be on the collective progress and the smooth running of the classroom. They were also constrained by varying levels of knowledge about dyslexia.

However, the study did reveal areas of best practice when teachers were well-informed through experience or additional training and were able to meet a child’s needs and foster a sense of inclusion and community within their schools. Effective communication and shared understanding between parents and teachers also resulted in more successful outcomes.

The paper, published in the journal Dyslexia, also considered the value of a formal dyslexia diagnosis and its impact on support, as many parents sought a diagnosis to help them navigate the education system.

This research highlights the harm faced by children with literacy difficulties and underscores the importance of diagnosis for visibility, awareness, and effective management. Our study found dyslexia to be relatively invisible in mainstream schools.

Lead researcher Dr Angela Thompson, Visiting Scholar, NTU Psychology

Professor Julia Carroll, Professor of Psychology in Education at the University of Birmingham, said: “We believe that the gap between parent and teacher perspectives can be partially bridged through the effective and consistent diagnosis of dyslexia, which serves as a conduit for shared communication and understanding, making a child’s unique needs more visible. This visibility is crucial, as dyslexia can affect various aspects of life both in and beyond school. This underscores my recent work on an updated definition of dyslexia.”

Professor Clare Wood, director of the Centre for Research in Language, Education and Developmental Inequalities at NTU, added: “The identification of dyslexia is important in improving the visibility and understanding of a child’s learning difficulties. The absence of a diagnosis can, and did, result in significant negative consequences for a child’s education.

“We found that some schools did not acknowledge or act on a diagnosis, instead falling back on local policies. A diagnosis alone does not currently guarantee appropriate support, and its value is realised only when it is acknowledged and acted upon by those responsible for the child’s education.”

Read the full paper on the Dyslexia website.

Gemma Pearce talks about why hiring an apprentice proved to be a game-changing decision for her business, Loopwheels.

There has been a lot of gloom in business circles about the cost of employing staff since last October’s Budget announcement on changes to National Insurance and increases in the National Minimum Wage/National Living Wage.

One of the worries expressed is around the increase in the hourly pay rate for apprentices in April 2025, which puts pressure on raising pay levels for those employees with more experience to maintain fairness across the whole team. Some employers have questioned if investing in apprentices stacks up against taking on an older, more experienced staff.

Hiring an apprentice was the best business decision I made in 2024. I’d even go so far as to say it may prove to be one of the best decisions I have made for my small manufacturing business in the last decade!

As we reflect on National Apprenticeships Week 2025, I’m reminded that it was around this time a year ago when I wrote and issued an advert for our first apprentice.

Why did we decide to go down the apprenticeship route?

A key challenge for our micro-sized manufacturing business was how we could afford to bring in an expert dedicated digital marketing resource, who would understand our business and work with us on a medium to long-term basis.

While there are plenty of good digital marketing agencies, and, SMEs can access excellent free and paid-for advice, we knew we needed something more. We explored these options with some good results, however, the time had arrived when we needed someone who would be based within our team, with daily access to our manufacturing site, and could develop our digital marketing strategy and activity from the inside out. We needed someone with more enthusiasm, commitment, dedicated time and growing expertise than the current team or an external adviser could bring to the task. After all, digital media is a voracious beast! For a small manufacturer with a global or international market, it can be incredibly powerful –  but only if it’s fed with consistent, focused effort.

And how has the experience been so far?

I worked with Nottingham Trent University (NTU), to advertise and recruit our degree apprentice, Ellie James. NTU offers numerous degree apprenticeship schemes, including a Digital Marketing Apprentice Degree, which met our needs exactly. It’s a 42-month block release course (3 ½ years), and the apprentice will be an integral part of our team during that time. NTU supported me with every step of the recruitment – I was able to shortlist 70 good-quality applicants. It is in the university’s interests and ours to recruit the right candidate, and their support and experience felt like a true partnership with shared goals.

Our apprentice, Ellie, is a valued employee, we meet the full costs of Ellie’s salary, and she is based in our business and is with us most of the week. Her degree, on the other hand, is funded by the government. The apprenticeship is block-release, on average, in term-time, Ellie spends around three days at Loopwheels, one day a week at university, and a further day a week working and/or studying from home. During the university holidays, Ellie devotes more time to the business.

This arrangement, allows both the business and Ellie, to benefit from the latest digital marketing skills and knowledge the university provides. We apply these skills to the real-life case study of marketing Loopwheels in the UK and internationally, selling our product to around 20 countries.

Ellie joined us in July 2024 to gain some understanding of the business before she began her course at NTU in September. From day one, we could see and feel the positive impact of another intelligent, well-informed, highly motivated and committed team member on our company and digital marketing. Ellie has hit the ground running, and her contribution to our company is tangible and impactful. As she continues through her degree, we’re confident her impact will only grow stronger.