An engineering company is investing in the workforce of the future by creating job posts for young people.
React Engineering has welcomed four new recruits to its team. Keiron Hodgson and Alex Royce, both 22, have joined the company as graduate consultants and Nicholas Raeburn, 22, and Eleanor Acey, 21, will spend a gap year out from their studies to work as trainee consultants.
Their appointments coincides with the creation of the React Futures programme which provides financial and professional support for students to kickstart their careers by helping them through university and offering them their first full-time jobs.
Keiron has recently completed a chemical engineering degree at Newcastle University and Alex graduated in electronic engineering from Durham University, and both have been offered their first job with React as they work towards their chartered engineer status.
Alex said: “I’m interested in the nuclear sector because it’s more sustainable than fossil fuels and, as a part of that process, the aftercare of nuclear energy is one of the most challenging aspects so I’m looking forward to the problem solving nature of the job and developing my professional resumé.”
Keiron said: “I always knew React had a good reputation for developing people’s skills and I think that the consultancy side of the job is exciting as it’s something I haven’t done before but offers a lot of variety to develop different skills.”
Nicholas and Eleanor will be able to put into practice the theory they have learned at university to date, before returning to complete their studies after one year of experience in a working environment.
Nicholas moved to England two years ago from Trinidad to study chemical and environmental engineering at the University of Nottingham, and he hopes to help change the face of nuclear power globally.
He said: “Trinidad is 100 per cent reliant on fossil fuels for energy but that isn’t sustainable, so my goal is to study and develop methods within the nuclear sector to help raise awareness of better practices to be used in countries across the world.”
Eleanor, who is studying chemical engineering also at Nottingham, will join her older sister Isobel at React, after Isobel started working there one year ago.
She said: “A lot of people who have worked during their gap year have returned to their Masters degree as a more mature and well-rounded person, so I’m looking forward to getting some work experience during the next year and doing something very different to my studies.”
Phil Redfern, managing director, said: “We are extremely passionate about creating opportunities for young people to help them aspire to be the best they can professionally, and being able to support and develop these enthusiastic and talented workers is something we take great pride in.
“Alex, Keiron, Nicholas and Eleanor have all impressed with their enthusiasm and ability to find solutions to real problems, and we look forward to working with them more closely to help them realise their full potential.”
