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Product category: Engineering Industry Developments and Awards
News Release from: The TTE Technical Training Group
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial Team on 14 October 2004

Young scientists complete their studies

The first graduates of an innovative programme aimed at encouraging promising Teesside science students to pledge their futures to the region have successfully completed their studies.

The first graduates of an innovative programme aimed at encouraging promising Teesside science students to pledge their futures to the region have successfully completed their studies For some years the UK's science "brain drain"' has concerned people within industry and the Young Scientists programme is helping to keep talented young people working within the UK

It has proven to be a great investment for the sponsor companies involved as the majority of students stay on and become full-time employees.

TTE took over the management and co-ordination of the former ICI Young Scientists programme in September 2002 and placed three talented young scientists with speciality chemicals company, the Synetix catalyst business Johnson Matthey in Billingham.

A further two students were placed with Uniqema, a global speciality chemicals business which was launched in January 1999 from five existing ICI businesses.

The students were employed by TTE Management and Technical Training and selected and sponsored by the participating companies, earning GBP 11,000 per year while studying and working.

The programme covers two year part-time study for a degree in molecular science at the University of Teesside and intensive on the job training with the sponsoring company.

Following changes made to the programme by TTE, the successful students also achieved nationally recognised qualifications NVQ Level 2 and 3 in laboratory operations during their four 6-month work placements.

At the end of the two year programme, the students had completed two-fifths of the degree course and had the option of either returning to university as a full-time student for a further year or, if offered the opportunity, joining their sponsor company as a permanent employee and studying part-time for three years to finish the degree.

Johnson Matthey has taken on two of the three students they sponsored, with the third deciding to return to university for a further year.

The Uniqema sponsored students have also been offered employment opportunities within the industry.

Brian Johnson from TTE said: "This scheme has attracted some high calibre students and we are delighted with their success".

"TTE is committed to developing tailored training solutions to suit the needs of employers and the individual learner".

"The Young Scientist programme is an excellent example of providing an attractive alternative to full time studies".

"It gives young A level students the opportunity to earn GBP 11,000 per annum with all university fees paid too".

"We are working closely at all times with the sponsor companies to continually develop this important and highly successful programme".

Nicola Young, Gas Processing Research Manager at Johnson Matthey Catalysts said: "Our sponsored students were all carefully selected for the Young Scientist programme".

"We always attract high calibre young people who are keen to learn and progress".

"Working together with TTE means our young scientists have both the vocational qualifications and practical experience that makes them assets to any business".

For over a decade, the TTE Management and Technical Training Group has trained young people for careers in engineering and chemical process.

One of the principal objectives of the group is to deliver first-class training, placing a lot of emphasis on achieving a balance between academic and personal development, where young people are seen as making a valuable contribution to business performance.

Johnson commented: "The financial support and co-operation of high quality sponsors is necessary in ensuring the innovative Young Scientist programme continues to provide young people with the qualifications and experience to progress in a successful career in industry and to provide businesses with a cost-effective method of recruitment, training and selection".

The success of the students has ensured that Johnson Matthey and Uniqema are once again sponsoring students this term.

ICI has also expressed new interest in the Young Scientists scheme at the ICI research facility at Wilton Centre.

Their innovative approach to research is ideal for the programme.

ICI is sponsoring a student this year with the possibility of increasing their numbers next year.

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