Partner Article

Process industries put artists in the frame

A group of Teesside photography students are seeing their work showcased at the new headquarters of the National Skills Academy Process Industries (NSAPI) in Darlington.

The students, who are studying for their BTEC National Diploma in Photography at Cleveland College of Art and Design, toured facilities and locations across Teesside to capture images representative of the industry.

The skills academy also asked students to produce images that would sit easily with its brand colours of burnt orange and grey.

Photography lecturer Shaun Cook said: “We are always keen to forge links with industry and this was a fantastic project for the students. It gave them real life work experience, as they were working to the client’s expectations instead of a formulated brief, and they were also able to get access to what would normally be restricted areas within academy member companies.

“The project has been really worthwhile in that it has provided them with practical experience as well as increasing their confidence, and of course given them the chance to show their work to a wider audience.”

The skills academy is part of a national network of 11 academies, established to build links between employers and training providers. Dr Ian Mains, business development manager at the skills academy, said: “As an organisation our focus is firmly on skills development, so when we thinking about where we could find artwork that would reflect our work within the process industries it was a logical move to team up with a set of people who are investing in their own skills and careers.

“We are very pleased to be able to do something to promote young talent in the region. “We are hopeful of being able to make this a regular commission and look forward to working with the students again in the future.” Companies interested in taking part in the next industrial art project should send a message to: enquiries@process.nsacademy.co.uk.

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