Welcome to the Birmingham Area
It is said that the
Institution of Mechanical Engineers was founded in 1847 in the Queen's Hotel in
Birmingham, so it's great news that we have been able to rejuvenate a
Birmingham Area committee. There are more than 1600 members who live or work in
Birmingham and with the changes in engineering in the Midlands it's an exciting
place to be.
The new committee's aim is to support the local engineering community with
valued events and services which develop and promote knowledge, understanding
and professionalism of mechanical engineers, for the benefit of all. We want
activities to be supportive of Member's interests, which will be varied
considering the range of industries active in the Midlands!
Supported by Regional IMechE staff and strong links with other IMechE division
and other institutions, the new and enthusiastic committee will keep you up to
date with news and events in the area.
Contact us if you want any more details or have any comments about what you
want from the new Birmingham area committee.
17 March 2010 | 19:00 - 21:00
Who’s looking after your career? If it is anyone other than you have you assessed the risk? In today’s business climate few companies are prepared to invest in the career development of their people unless they see a clear advantage from doing so. Even if your employer is prepared to invest in your career it still makes sense to be proactive and ensure it is going in the direction you wish it to go rather than leave it to others to make those decisions. If there are no processes for supporting your career development then you owe it to yourself and your family (assuming you have one) to take responsibility for your career.
This seminar is designed to help you in the process of managing your career. Eric Hogg has a wealth of experience in career management and transition and will pass on practical tips for managing your own career based on his experience and that of the people he has supported over a period of years. By following a simple twelve step approach, Eric will show you how to prepare for risk, take control of your career and develop a strategy to maximise your chances of success in these difficult times.
13 May 2010 | 19:00 - 21:00
In 2006, the Vampire Jet Car, driven by its owner Colin Fallows, set the current official British Land Speed Record with an average speed of 300.3 mph. Colin also took the car to an average one way speed of 310mph just a few weeks before it was spectacularly crashed by "that man off the TV!".
Mark Newby, the full time driver of the Vampire car prior to its demise, holds the unofficial British Land Speed Record of 338.74mph in another jet car - Split Second.
Both Colin and Mark will talk on the inside story behind the designing, building, maintaining and driving the Vampire, the Split Second and other jet cars during a career involving over 3,000 accident free runs between them.
In addition to their jet car background, the pair built and drove the UK's first electric car to exceed 200mph.
This should prove to be a very enjoyable and entertaining evening.
18 May 2010 | 19:00 - 21:00
Business improvement techniques originated in manufacturing but now apply to the whole business. The key to implementing successful change is to consider your organisation as a complex system and to apply the improvements in all areas.
Chris will highlight a companywide philosophy of continuous improvement by involving employees at all levels and empowering them.
It is about listening to employee ideas and considering these from a customer viewpoint. The aim is to identify value added processes and eliminate waste and the root cause of waste.
The key is to pick the right tools and techniques suitable for each individual situation and not just to use the ‘flavour of the day’ system. This is where common sense is required.
