Following a successful first six months, Haith Group has committed to repeat its Elevator scheme in 2019.
The initiative run in partnership with Nottingham Trent University provides an undergraduate with ten months of real work experience and potential employment.
Haith established the programme in June this year, with 22 year-old Product Design BSc undergraduate Herbie Kemp joining the company at its Doncaster head office.
Herbie has been working in Haith’s design team, contributing to live projects as he develops an understanding of the company, its products and processes.
Andrew Jones, Production Supervisor at Haith, has been impressed with both Herbie’s progress and commitment to the company: “Herbie has developed his understanding of the role incredibly quickly and has taken on board everything we’ve told him, which is fantastic! He’s even bought his own set of tools, which shows a real commitment and passion for the job he’s doing.
“The Elevator scheme is great as we’re able to give people an opportunity to develop their skills and add to their CV, while also contributing to our business. It’s also giving us a chance to see if he would be a good fit for a future role here at Haith.”
Regaynor Johal, Business Adviser at Nottingham Trent University, says the Haith scheme is a win-win for students, the university and the company. “We often hear of graduates stuck in the experience – employment catch 22. They can’t secure a job because they don’t have any relevant experience, and they can’t get the experience as companies won’t give them a job. Our partnership with Haith is the ideal solution to this frustrating situation. By working with us, Haith can bring in an enthusiastic and intelligent person, who’s keen to learn, and mould them to their particular ways of working. I think Haith also benefit from having someone with fresh ideas and excellent academic education joining their team. We’re pleased that Herbie has become such a valued member of Haith’s team and that they want to enter into a second year of working with Nottingham Trent University.”
The UK’s leading designers and manufacturers of vegetable handling equipment, Haith is enjoying a prolonged period of growth and as well as recently extending its Doncaster factory by 870 square metres in a £1.5m expansion plan, the company has also taken on 18 new members of staff this year and is still looking to recruit additional people.
“We’ve always been a company that has looked forward and tried to innovate the market,” says Nigel Haith, managing director. “Our reputation for building top-class machines, backed up with excellent customer service and support, means we’re very busy at the moment, and it looks like this will continue for some time, which is great. It’s also great for people like Herbie and the other 18 people who’ve joined us as the increasing demand means we are able to employ more people.”
To find out more about Haith and its range of vegetable handling equipment, please visit our Machinery Section, email sales@haith.co.uk or call +44 (0) 1302 831 911.