Tag Archives: Automotive

Newcastle College students have the right chemistry for success at global company

Posted on December 13, 2012 | Leave a comment

Tara Aziz
Two Newcastle College students have secured full time roles with international consumer goods manufacturer Procter & Gamble (P&G) after completing the firm’s highly sought after internship programme.

Tara Aziz and Ben Miley were chosen by P&G in 2010 to follow the two year programme at its Newcastle Innovation Centre in Longbenton and will now work with the company to develop its large range of iconic global brands, which include Ariel, Pampers, Gillette and Olay.

Tara, from Cramlington, was chosen for the internship programme while studying a Foundation Degree in Analytical Chemistry at Newcastle College. The 23 year old has now been employed as a Senior Operator in Particle Characterisation after completing her training, which involved developing methods and analysing data, among other responsibilities.

Tara, who is currently studying a top-up Degree in Applied Sciences at Newcastle College, has also written standard operating procedures for P&G, which have been issued globally throughout the company.

She said: “Being chosen for P&G‘s internship programme was an amazing opportunity and I’m over the moon to be offered a full time role. If it wasn’t for Newcastle College I wouldn’t have known about the programme or had the right training needed to prove myself within such a major company.”

Ben, from Wallsend, studied an Access Diploma in Engineering and a Foundation Degree in Renewable Energies before being chosen by P&G for the internship programme. His internship saw him work in the firm’s large scale pilot plant as part of the firm’s Operations Crew, where he helped to set up and run a number of production trials.

The 26 year old is now employed as a Pilot Plant Senior Operator at the firm, and is also studying towards a top-up Degree in Electrical Electronic Engineering at Newcastle College.

The internship scheme was set by Newcastle College to give students within its School of Applied Science and Technology the opportunity to gain valuable work experience with one of the world’s leading producers of consumer brands. Students spend four days each week at the Newcastle Innovation Centre and one week day per week studying at the college.

The scheme is part of Newcastle College‘s School of Applied Science and Technology’s support for the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) agenda. The school works in close collaboration with organisations across all areas of expertise, including engineering, automotive, aerospace and allied engineering, vocational science, and renewable Energy.

Shirley Summers, Associate Talent Supply Manager for P&G UK and Ireland, said: ”We have been very impressed by the standard of people that we have recruited from Newcastle College for our internship programme. Recruiting the right people direct from college is a new route for us, but the results are very encouraging. By working with Newcastle College, we can be assured that we are identifying people with exactly the right kind of skills, passion and talent that we need.”

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Posted in Applied Sciences and Technology, Engineering and Automotive, Student achievements

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North East’s young people get real taster for future careers

Posted on July 4, 2012 | Leave a comment

The North East’s 16 – 18 year olds can take advantage of free vocational training taster sessions that will help them onto the career ladder, through a range of innovative Summer Schools taking place in and around Newcastle this month.

The free Summer Schools, provided by Newcastle College and held in various locations across its state of the art training facilities, run over several days will train the region’s school leavers in topics often not taught in schools, including Aerospace, Beauty, Business, Automotive, Art & Design, Childcare, Construction, Engineering, Hairdressing, and Hospitality. There is also a free three days course for young people with additional learning needs.

In times of economic downturn and a tough employment marketplace, young people in the North East need extra support and career guidance in a competitive environment. This free training is readily available throughout July and will give youngsters the chance to learn new skills and get a taste of work experience, as well as a very real chance to get their feet on the first rung of the career ladder by making the right training choices at the outset.

Newcastle College recognises that financial difficulties can often play a major part in making choices about training, so it is also offering extra cash support of £1200 to those eligible young people who choose to continue into full time training after the summer.

Carole Kitching, Deputy Principal at Newcastle College, said: “Our students come to Newcastle College to develop a career, not just to complete a course. Offering Summer Schools really demonstrates not only the kinds of things you will learn, but also how these skills will be valuable in the work place.

“We appreciate that for some students, starting a new course can be a bit daunting. Having the chance to try out certain aspects in advance and meet new people can be a great confidence booster and help you to make an informed decision when it comes to choosing a career. You will get the chance to find out about the excellent support we will offer you and to get to know the other students on your course.”

The Summer Schools take place across the range of Newcastle College facilities, which include The Energy Academy, a brand new hub for offshore and wind technologies based at Walker Riverside; the Aviation Academy, which utilises a gigantic Boeing 737 for training and is based at Newcastle International Airport; and The Lifestyle Academy, which includes a Chef’s Academy and luxurious beauty salon.

Summer Schools which take place at The Performance Academy with recording studios, media production facilities and a 250 seat theatre the dedicated Sixth Form College and huge Construction Academy in Walker also give the North East’s school leavers a taste of what full time training can offer.

Young people who take part in the Summer Schools will be given more information and guidance on training choices that will allow them to extend their experience beyond the summer months and help set them on the road to future employment.

Newcastle College Summer School courses are free to those aged between 16-18 years old on August 31 2012 and can be booked by calling a member of the Student Services Team on 0191 200 4000.

The team will also be able to provide more information on full time training courses and enrolment – and the cash support of £1200 that may be available depending on eligibility. Full details can be found at www.newcastlecollege.co.uk/schoolleavers

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Student has the right chemistry for dream job

Posted on October 3, 2011 | Leave a comment

A Newcastle College student has landed her dream job with global consumer products company, P&G after securing an internship scheme at the company’s Innovation Centre in Newcastle.

Tara Aziz, 22 from Cramlington, applied for the scheme through the college whilst studying for a Foundation Degree in Analytical Chemistry. The internship scheme was set up two years ago, to give students within the college’s School of Applied Science and Technology, the opportunity to gain valuable work experience within one of the world’s leading producers of consumer brands.

Tara Aziz at P&G's Innovation Centre in Newcastle

Her role will involve developing methods, data analysis, project work and handling systems. During her internship Tara has already worked on various projects, including thermal and moisture analysis of products. Tara has also developed methods for equipment and written standard operating procedures, which have been issued globally throughout P&G.

The college’s School of Applied Science and Technology supports the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) agenda. The school works in close collaboration across all areas of expertise, including, Engineering, Automotive , Aerospace and Allied Engineering, Computing Technology, Vocational Science , Renewable Energy, Environmental, Land Based and Veterinary Nursing

Tara said: “I have really enjoyed my internship with P&G and was over the moon when they offered me a full-time position. It is very unusual for someone without a specialist degree to be given an opportunity like this. My college course has allowed me to gain a lot of knowledge that I have been able to use at work and really improved my confidence and I cannot thank my tutors at Newcastle College enough for the help and support they have given me.”

Dr Jane Britton, Section Manager for Vocational Science at Newcastle College, said: “We are all delighted that Tara has secured employment with P&G. The internship scheme was developed two years ago and has hugely benefitted many of our students by giving them a real insight into how one of the world’s leading brands operates. Tara’s success is testament to the strong relationship that the college has developed with P&G and we are very grateful for the support they have given to us and our students.”

Four billion times a day, P&G brands touch the lives of people around the world. The company has one of the strongest portfolios of trusted, quality, leadership brands, including Pampers, Ariel, Pantene, Pringles, Oral-B, Duracell, Olay, Head & Shoulders, Wella, Gillette and Braun. The P&G community includes approximately 127,000 employees working in about 80 countries worldwide.

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Automotive Instructors selected for World Skills competition

Posted on September 6, 2011 | Leave a comment

An Automotive Lecturer and Instructor from Newcastle College have been selected by the World Skills team to play a major role in the world’s largest international skills competition.

Alan Fidler and Rod Reed, who both work at the college’s Body Repair Shop at Invincible Drive, were approached by representatives of the competition due to their experience and expertise in paint and body work and the reputation that the college has built in this area as being ahead of industry.

Alan will head up the paint section during this year’s competition and will lead a team from UK Skills in London. As well as taking a senior supervisory role at the competition, Alan will be part of the team responsible for UK selection and is also in touch with competitors from all over the world.

Rod Reed was invited to be an Assistant Workshop Supervisor at the final in October, after providing training to two of the squad members competing for a place on the UK team.

He spent two days working with Ross Varnam and Mark Brown, apprentices with Parkers Accident Repair in Leicester and Mitchell Inglis Accident Repair in Glasgow, giving them specialist training in metal finishing techniques.

Rod delivered the training within the college’s Body Repair shop at Invincible Drive and was chosen for his vast experience, including 24 years working at Nissan.

World Skills is the world’s largest, international skills competition where young people from across the globe compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. Around 1,000 competitors from 50 nations will compete in 45 skill areas over four days of competition.

Alan said: “Both Rod and I are thrilled to have been invited to be a part of World Skills. The competition is the biggest of its kind across the world and showcases the vast talent we have across the skill sectors. The people brought in to support the competition are considered best in their field so it is a real honour for both of us to be involved.”

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Posted in Engineering and Automotive, Student achievements

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Automotive specialists selected for World Skills competition

Posted on June 9, 2011 | Leave a comment

An Automotive Lecturer and Instructor from Newcastle College have been selected by the World Skills team to play a major role in the world’s largest international skills competition.

Alan Fidler and Rod Reed, who both work at the college’s Body Repair Shop at Invincible Drive, were approached by representatives of the competition due to their experience and expertise in paint and body work and the reputation that the college has built in this area as being ahead of industry.

Alan will head up the paint section during this year’s competition and will lead a team from UK Skills in London. As well as taking a senior supervisory role at the competition, Alan will be part of the team responsible for UK selection and is also in touch with competitors from all over the world.

Rod Reed was invited to be an Assistant Workshop Supervisor at the final in October, after providing training to two of the squad members competing for a place on the UK team.

He spent two days working with Ross Varnam and Mark Brown, apprentices with Parkers Accident Repair in Leicester and Mitchell Inglis Accident Repair in Glasgow, giving them specialist training in metal finishing techniques.

Rod delivered the training within the college’s Body Repair shop at Invincible Drive and was chosen for his vast experience, including 24 years working at Nissan.

World Skills is the world’s largest, international skills competition where young people from across the globe compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. Around 1,000 competitors from 50 nations will compete in 45 skill areas over four days of competition.

Alan said: “Both Rod and I are thrilled to have been invited to be a part of World Skills. The competition is the biggest of its kind across the world and showcases the vast talent we have across the skill sectors. The people brought in to support the competition are considered best in their field so it is a real honour for both of us to be involved.”

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Posted in Competitions, Engineering and Automotive

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Shadow Minister for Innovation and Science sees how Newcastle College is responding to the STEM agenda

Posted on April 12, 2011 | Leave a comment

Chi Onwurah, MP visited Newcastle College on Friday to find out how its School of Applied Science and Technology is meeting the Government’s STEM agenda through education, skills and training.

The MP for Newcastle Central and Shadow Minister for Innovation and Science, was given a tour of the school and was shown key facilities, such as the Wellhead Christmas Tree, Diving Bell and state-of-the-art Subsea control room, scientific clean room and mini process plant. She then went on to the £3.3m Aviation Academy based at Newcastle International Airport.

 

Chi Onwurah, MP for Newcastle Central and Shadow Minister for Innovation and Science, at Aviation Academy

 

Ms Onwurah was also briefed on the college’s plans to develop a new Renewable Energies Academy. The project, which is in partnership with Shepherd Offshore, is currently being constructed to respond to the growing need for high level skills in the renewable energies sector. The Academy will deliver qualifications from level 2 through to Degree in Renewable Energy Technologies, Manufacturing and Maintenance and it will also include apprenticeships at all levels.

Based on the North Bank of the Tyne, a major area of growth for businesses in the renewable energies sector, the centre will be a hub for offshore wind and wind technologies as well as delivering training in other forms of renewable energies technology.

This area has already attracted world-class manufacturing organisations in the offshore energy sectors and the addition of a dedicated facility to meet the training needs of the renewable market will enhance the chances of further major job creation in the area.   

The Renewable Energies Academy sits within the college’s School of Applied Science and Technology, developed to support the vitally important Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (STEM) agenda. The school works in close collaboration across all areas of expertise, including:

 

The college is already working with local schools to engage young people in the importance of renewable energies and the many career opportunities available within this sector.

Commenting on her visit, Chi Onwurah, MP said: “According to Engineering UK, the number of under 19s studying engineering related subjects declined by a staggering 43% over the last 5 years. That is economic madness. As a region, as a country, getting the right skills base is essential to our future well-being. We need to prime the skills pump of the new industries – renewable, advanced manufacturing, green chemicals.  I’m glad to see that Newcastle College is offering a wide range of STEM-related subjects.  I want to see every young person given the opportunity to learn at the level which is appropriate to them.

Jim Hubbard, Director of the School of Applied Science and Technology at Newcastle College, said: “We were delighted to host Chi Onwurah and to give her an overview of how we are supporting and promoting STEM subjects to learners and employers. This is a major area of growth and we work closely with employers to ensure that we are responding to their complex needs for training and skills. 

“We hope Chi will be able to return later in the summer to see the Renewable Energies Academy take shape. This is a significant development for the college and for employers based on the North Bank of the Tyne creating huge opportunities and engaging with the local community through education, training and skills.

For more information on courses available at Newcastle College, please visit our website: http://www.newcastlecollege.co.uk

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Posted in Applied Sciences and Technology, Apprenticeships

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Specialist training helps automotive apprentices to test their mettle for WorldSkills 2011

Posted on March 22, 2011 | Leave a comment

An Automotive Instructor from Newcastle College has been called upon by WorldSkills, the world’s largest international skills competition, to provide UK hopefuls with specialist training in the run up to WorldSkills 2011 in London.

Rod Reed, who delivers training within the college’s Body Repair shop at Invincible Drive, was chosen because of his vast experience in automotive body work, which includes 24 years working at Nissan.

He was approached by WorldSkills Assistant Training Manager, Stuart Alexander who was impressed by the quality of the college’s training provision and the facilities available. Rod has worked with Stuart for several years in his role as National Sales Manager for Car-O-Liner and following the training has been subsequently invited to be an Assistant Workshop Supervisor at the London final in October.

Rod spent two days working with Ross Varnam and Mark Brown, apprentices with Parkers Accident Repair in Leicester and Mitchell Inglis Accident Repair in Glasgow and two of the squad members competing against each other for a place on the UK team. They will represent the UK in the final at ExCel London between the 5-8 October 2011.

The candidates were invited to the college’s body repair shop where they received specialist training in metal finishing techniques, including filing, picking-up and final finish. Only one can be selected for a place on the UK team and they will still have to compete against each other at an event held in Coventry in June.

World Skills is the world’s largest, international skills competition where young people from across the globe compete to become the best of the best in their chosen skill. Around 1,000 competitors from 50 nations will compete in 45 skill areas over four days of competition.

Rod said “I am delighted to be involved in WorldSkills 2011. To be asked to share your expertise to help the UK squad is quite an honour and as the competition is to be held on UK soil it makes it all the more special.

“Autobody repair and finishing is a skill that requires great care and concentration. Either Ross or Mark will be pitting themselves against some of the world’s best at the competition. They will need to develop their understanding of car construction and materials and stay up-to-date with the latest technology and developments in metal-finishing techniques. I wish them both luck and look forward to following their progress.”

Stuart Alexander, Assistant Training Manager for the Auto-Body Repair category at World Skills 2011, said: “It is of vital importance that the competitors we put forward to represent the UK at the London 2011 finals are trained to an extremely high standard in the skills in which they will compete.

“Rod’s enthusiasm for training and teaching absolutely shines through. His teaching skills, coupled with his many years of automotive bodywork experience at Nissan, marked him out as the ideal choice for someone to mentor and train the contestants in metal- finishing techniques. We were also very impressed with the facilities that the college had to offer and the stringent quality measures in place to reflect the high standards that this industry demands.”

Ross Varnam, 20, of Leicester said: “Working with Rod has been fantastic. From the moment we walked into the workshop at Newcastle College I was impressed by his enthusiasm.

“Rod worked with us on a range of metal finishing techniques. He really stressed the importance of accuracy and taking pride in what you do.”

Mark Brown, 22, from Glasgow, said: “Whoever goes through to the World Skills final is going to be up against some of the best autobody repair apprentices in the world. Some of the guys who will be in the final are already working for multinationals like Hyundai and Toyota. Rod had twenty-four years working with Nissan so he really knows what is expected from an expert finisher.”

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Posted in Apprenticeships, Engineering and Automotive

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