Member Article

International success from work experience student

Earlier this week we detailed a ten-point plan created by Newcastle University to steer the North East through the recession. Following this, we found out about a practical application of the links between the university and a local business.

Through the University’s Newcastle Work Experience (NWE) scheme, Mutune Kilonzo, a postgraduate International Business Management student, was taken on to redevelop the website of local engineering firm Houghton International. As part of their company-wide rebranding scheme, the website was to be a major tool for future worldwide sales and marketing campaigns.

The project was finished in November 2008 and has already had a significant impact upon the business – a new customer in the USA learned of their reputation following a Google search.

Michael Mitten, Managing Director, said: “This US contract win was a $40,000 order for the company’s high voltage coils that will repair a power station generator in Pennsylvania. It is significant because it is our first from the USA since 2001…. a major victory which has been a long time coming.”

Emma Pattison, the firm’s Marketing Executive, cites the scheme as “a vital asset for an SME. An ideal way to introduce new ideas and concepts into a company at minimal cost.”

So far this academic year 40 students have been placed through the NWE programme into challenging projects in organisations across the local area. For an informal discussion or to offer a project to the scheme, contact Lesley Cairns, Placement Officer, on 0191 222 6469 or nwe@ncl.ac.uk.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .