Following a successful internship at employer partner AkzoNobel, Northumberland College alumni Daniel Young and Cameron Bagley have secured permanent jobs with the global paints and coatings company.
The duo gained DMM and MMM respectively in their results this year and joined Ashington-based AkzoNobel over the summer as part of a CREST Award-accredited programme through the Ogden Trust.
Their placement gave them a valuable insight into physics, engineering, and manufacturing-related industries by completing an employer-set project. After impressing during their internship – which also saw them win the CREST Gold Award – both Daniel and Cameron were offered full time permanent roles as operators.
Cameron said: “The Internship I did with AkzoNobel was helpful to develop my knowledge of the engineering sector of work the college course I completed helped me understand and give a basic understanding of the things we learnt and did during the internship.
“After the internship period was over, we were offered the chance of employment with AkzoNobel. The internship as a whole and with the addition to the college course proved to employers that we want to learn and experience the way they work in that area.”
The Ogden trust organised a “Coastal energy celebration” at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult at the Port of Blyth, which Cameron and Daniel attended in November for the CREST Awards – celebrating the success of all interns involved in the programme. They collected the Gold Award which can be used by students to enhance their UCAS personal statements and is recognised and respected by universities and employers.
Mark Stokell, Curriculum manager for Engineering, Automotive & Digital, added: “I am delighted that Cameron and Daniel have had their hard work recognised with a Gold CREST award.
“They have impressed teaching staff throughout their time as Engineering students at Northumberland College and have gone on to impress one of our key industry partners, AkzoNobel.
“Not only did they successfully complete an industry-based project but gained full time employment due to their hard work, maturity and commitment.”
Steve Smith, Training Co-ordinator at AkzoNobel said “During Cameron and Daniels four-week internship they created a new standardised work document. This allowed them to gain experience in risk assessments and engineering practices whilst also learning the importance of quality processes.
“Once they had completed the internship, they both applied for Manufacturing Support Operator roles and thanks to the experience and confidence they had gained through their internship, they were able to secure the job!
“Congratulations to both of them, we’re all glad to have them as part of our team.”
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