Students get a taste for life as an Intertek scientist
14 Nov 2014
Students from West Lancashire College visited Intertek’s laboratories in one of the region’s largest science parks to get a taste of life as a scientist.
More than 25 college students descended on Hexagon Tower in Blakely, Manchester, as part of a day-long event organised by leading testing, inspection and certification firm Intertek.
The 18-year-olds were treated to chemistry workshops, with real-life examples, and had the chance to pick the brains of some of the country’s leading scientists on the careers available in the industry. As well as getting up-to-the-minute careers advice, the teens took part in an analytical chemistry problem solving quiz and toured the facilities.
Intertek, a global quality solutions provider with 66 sites across the UK, tests everything from the latest anti-cancer drugs to cosmetics at its Manchester laboratory, where it employs 88 people.
Intertek is committed to encouraging more people in science careers and has taken on around 10 new starters and two apprentices in the Manchester laboratory, this year alone.
Existing students undertaking ‘year in industry’ placements at Intertek also helped out on the day by sharing top tips and experiences of working in the science sector.
Intertek has taken on placement students for the last ten years and is a firm believer in bringing students into the laboratory so they can experience first-hand what life as professional laboratory scientist might be like.
During his placement year Matthew Lockwood, a chemistry undergraduate degree at Manchester University, developed a method to study the solubility of chemical substances and the data generated from this will be used in the regulatory registration of a new chemical product.
He said: “Intertek has not only helped me develop basic lab skills which are vital for working in a laboratory, but also given me daily contact with state-of-the-art analytical equipment. I feel much more prepared for my final research year than my peers who did not do an industrial year as I have a far superior knowledge of general lab skills, thanks to Intertek."
Another placement student Sophie Rothwell, Senior Experimental Chemist, enjoyed her year so much she joined the company: "The experience I gained from my industrial placement year was invaluable and provided me with a solid foundation on which to build my career as an analytical chemist. Due to the vast analytical techniques that Intertek has at the facility, I was able to expand my practical skills using a variety of instruments. I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at Intertek and that's why I decided to join the company!"
Intertek, whose founder Thomas Edison is known for his discovery of the light bulb, is determined to encourage more young people into science careers to develop scientific expertise and innovation for the future. The company supports science in schools and colleges by demonstrating how science skills and knowledge can lead to varied and fascinating careers.
Dr Neil Truslove, Technology Manager, commented: "It is a rewarding opportunity to help our future generation of scientists understand how their degree might be applied in the wider industry. At the same time our students conduct research projects that form part of their degree requirements.
“We hope that the taster day for the students of West Lancashire College has inspired them to pursue a career in science, we may even see them in a couple of years’ time when they are considering taking year in industry placements.”
Rob van Dorp, chief executive UK & Eire for Intertek said: “At Intertek, we are keen to show young people how interesting science can be and the opportunities that are open to them. We want to help students realise that science can offer a great career with dynamic, commercial and global possibilities above and beyond an academic one. We hope to encourage people who will innovate for generations to come.”
Intertek is an international firm with over 66 offices across the UK. Its Manchester base at Hexagon Tower specialises in product testing. Chris Mitchell, Associate Director at LaSalle Investment Management – which manages the BEST Network’s portfolio of science parks, which includes Hexagon Tower – said: “It is inspiring to see so many students consider a career in the science industry.
“Over the last 200 years, scientists have made history on the site of Hexagon Tower – firstly with the development of dyes as part of Blackley Works and more recently with the ground-breaking work carried out by companies like Intertek.
“The science industry in Manchester is flourishing, bringing with it hundreds of opportunities for young people to take up careers as scientists.”
Intertek Contact:
Joanne Merriweather
Tel: +44 07786 525390
Email: joanne.merriweather@intertek.com
About Intertek
Intertek is a leading quality solutions provider to industries worldwide. From auditing and inspection, to testing, training, advisory, quality assurance and certification, Intertek adds value for its customers by helping improve the quality and safety of their products, assets and processes. With a network of more than 1,000 laboratories and offices and over 36,000 people in more than 100 countries, Intertek supports companies’ success in the global marketplace, by helping customers to meet end users’ expectations for safety, sustainability, performance, integrity and desirability in virtually any market worldwide. Visit www.intertek.com.
About Hexagon Tower
Hexagon Tower is a specialist science and technology facility located in Blackley, North Manchester. Located close to road, rail and air networks, the 14,612m² Hexagon Tower facility offers serviced offices and laboratory accommodation for scientific and technology-focused businesses. Hexagon Tower is a former ICI research, development and production centre. Facilities at Blackley have fostered innovation since at least the Victorian era, before becoming an integral part of the British Dyestuffs Corporation (BDC) after 1919. The BDC subsequently merged with three other companies to form Imperial Chemicals Industries Ltd, now known as ICI. For more information, please visit www.hexagon-tower.co.uk.
About BEST Network
Business Environments for Science and Technology (BEST) Network has grown since the first acquisition in 2002 to become the largest privately-owned portfolio of science and technology parks in the UK. The portfolio has been assembled and is managed by LaSalle Investment Management for a pension fund client. It spans the length of the UK and contains both geographical and network-wide clusters in some of the UK’s highest-growth sectors. BEST Network includes a combination of both well-established science and technology parks and those undergoing investment to attract high-technology activities: Edinburgh Technopole, Hexagon Tower in Manchester, Kent Science Park, Langstone Technology Park in Havant, Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire and Wilton Centre in Teesside. For more information, please visit www.bestnetwork.com.