Specialist equipment provider to the Energy industry, Patriot International, has taken on a former Walsall College Engineering student and is also getting set to welcome 20 work placement students from the college over the course of the year to its premises in Oldbury. Patriot teamed up with the Ofsted outstanding college after it identified a lack of new talent being injected into the energy sector, as well as the risk to its organisation and sector unless this changed.
The company visited the college and was highly impressed with the calibre of Engineering students and their knowledge and skills of the industry. Following an interview process, Patriot took on student Charley Fowler, 19, as a Training Academy Development Technician.
Charley who has just successfully completed a BTEC Level 3 in Engineering qualification, said: “I had just handed in my last piece of coursework and was thinking about going to university, but when I was offered this job I was thrilled and saw it as a great opportunity to start my career. I never imagined I would be offered my dream job so early on so this is fantastic.”
Training Academy Manager at Patriot International, John Hampson, said: “We recognise that these students are the key to the future of our industry and its success. If Patriot can play a part in helping people through their education and preparing them for work, then we will be leaving a legacy for our future.
“We decided to take Charley on as she had the right attitude we look for in candidates. She is very enthusiastic, positive, has a good level of understanding about our industry and is willing to learn new skills on the job”
Following a routine health and safety audit by the college, Patriot’s facility has been approved as a safe working environment for the students who will be invited to visit the organisation as part of a work experience initiative. During their placements at Patriot, students will get the opportunity to learn about the operational, business development and engineering departments to expand on their knowledge and understanding of the working environment.
Head of Curriculum for Engineering at Walsall College, Neil Sambrook, said: “We are delighted that Patriot International have taken on one Charley and chosen to work with us to provide work placements for other students. This is a great testament to our excellent curriculum and teaching practices, which are designed to ensure students gain the relevant industry skills that employers are looking for.
“Working in a real hands-on environment will provide students with crucial experience to help them secure permanent employment in the future.”
Patriot are also looking at rolling this work experience programme out at its offices in Aberdeen and Dordrecht, The Netherlands.
