NSCG Hosts First-Ever IoT Engineering Design Challenge
4th November 2026
In partnership with Autodesk and CADClass, Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group (NSCG) has organised the Institute of Technology (IoT) Engineering Design Challenge. The national IoT Network pilot brings together colleges from seven Institutes of Technology across the country, with the initiative providing students with a unique opportunity to tackle a real-world, employer-led engineering challenge.
Welcoming students from Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire, the North East, Greater Manchester, Greater Birmingham & Solihull, Cheshire & Warrington, Lancashire & Cambria and Surrey & Sussex, the challenge will have students working to a detailed design brief and a range of industrial constraints.
Ed Charlwood from CADclass, who previously developed the challenge with DMM, said, “The IoT Engineering Design Challenge gives students a real engineering brief. It puts industry-standard CAD, digital manufacturing and connected technology into students’ hands in a way that’s accessible, creative and engaging. CADclass is delighted to be supporting it.”
The challenge: to use industry-standard design principles and software to design, model, simulate, make and test a carabiner for everyday use (school bags, water bottles, keyrings), then evaluate it like a professional engineer. Their designs must meet a variety of criteria from having a simple gate that snaps closed on its own, to being able to hold up to 500g.
Iwan Roberts, Education Account Manager at Autodesk said, "Autodesk is committed to helping educators inspire the designers and makers of tomorrow. The next generation of Engineers will design products that are digitally manufactured and connected from the start. This challenge brings those ideas into the classroom in a practical, accessible way. Working with the IoT's, DMM and CADclass on the Carabiner Challenge gives colleges both the tools and the training to turn curiosity into real engineering experience."
The timed challenge will take place over the next three and a half weeks, with awards available during this first stage for best use of Autodesk Fusion software, most sustainable solution, best performing manufactured carabiner and peer choice.
Students achieving a score of 90% or above will progress to the second stage, where their work will be assessed by an expert judging panel. The panel includes Iwan Roberts, Education Account Manager at Autodesk, Ed Charlwood from CADclass and Lee Pratt, Advanced Manufacturing Skills Academy Manager at University of Wales Trinity Saint David and organiser of both the Additive Manufacturing and CNC Machining World Skills National Competitions. Then all that remains is the finals, where students will have the opportunity to compete for a range of awards and prizes.
Georgina Barnard, Vice Principal: Employer Partnerships, Institute of Technology & Higher Education, said, “This challenge is a fantastic example of how Institutes of Technology can work collaboratively with industry partners to give students meaningful, real-world engineering experiences.
“By bringing together students from seven IoTs, alongside industry partners Autodesk and CADclass, we are creating an exciting opportunity for learners to test their skills against a real engineering brief while experiencing the standards and expectations of industry.
“Our ambition is for the Engineering Design Challenge to become a flagship national competition, inspiring future engineers, strengthening collaboration across the IoT network and helping employers engage with the talent pipeline of tomorrow."
Stay up to date as the competition progresses by following the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Institute of Technology’s socials.