Honeywell is working with Leeds Beckett University to provide students at its School of Building Environment, Engineering, and Computing with what the company claims is ‘unparalleled access to industry knowledge and experience’.
The ‘custom scheme’ was initiated by Lucy Hind, senior lecturer, Facilities Management, who wanted to add real-world sector expertise to the syllabus. She said: “We’re working with Honeywell to create an educational series of presentations, interviews, and events focused on building innovation, energy, sustainability, and analytics, to help our students who don’t have a traditional technical background grow their understanding of building management systems. The incorporation of experience-based insights into our curriculum enables us to provide practical know-how to back up university-based theoretical learning.”
The programme is designed to support people who do not have a facilities management background by helping furnish them with the appropriate skills and an understanding of the digital backbone that building management systems (BMS) provide today’s buildings. The UK faces a digital skills shortage, according to the Learning & Work Institute. The Honeywell and Leeds programme is designed to help address this by providing students with insights and training on ‘next generation’ BMS, as well as professional networking development.
“Being able to take a detailed look at your building and see how it’s performing is increasingly important due to the growing demand for improved digitisation, enhanced energy management, and the need to deliver healthier environments,” said Massimo Ferrari, European Direct Sales leader, Honeywell Building Technologies. “A good BMS is the eyes and ears of a facilities manager. The Honeywell team’s extensive expertise in can help students better prepare themselves for the challenges ahead.”
The curriculum series includes topics such as the basics of a BMS, how a BMS can help with energy management, and how such a system can help optimise planned maintenance.
Honeywell has over 50 years’ experience in the building controls industry through both its branded products, and its partner brands, Trend, CentraLine, and SBC.