Graduates prove their 'metal' in the steel industry

A team of Teesside University graduates and students are helping to spread the word about the recently revived steel industry in Redcar.

Two Multimedia Journalism graduates have been given full time jobs working in the Communications Department at SSI UK providing news and stories about the steel plant.

A further two students are also working part-time in the department while they complete their Business Management degrees, having successfully participated in an industrial placement last year.

In addition, Nicola Golding, 22, a Multimedia Journalism graduate has just completed a successful three month Graduate Internship where she has helped to compile a history of SSI UK.

The plant started production again last year after being mothballed by its previous owners, Tata Steel, in 2010. As a result, a new Communications Department was set up and the team from Teesside University have been playing a vital role in publicising the work of the plant.

Araminta Hartley, 22, and Thomas Mulliner, 23, have both been given full-time jobs as Communications Advisors having completed year-long placements at SSI.

Alice Roberts-Ward, 23, from Lincoln, and Craig Peacock, 21 from Darlington, are also helping in the department on a part-time basis after impressing during their placement year.

John Baker, SSI’s Public Relations and Media Director, said he is delighted at the contribution the team has made to the newly-formed Communications Department. He said: 'Teesside University’s stated intention to move closer to business is a great philosophy and they do it very well.

'I’ve been very pleased with the placement process. I needed a young, fresh team for the Communication Department and they are all very committed and enthusiastic.

'I know Teesside University has turned out some very good people and they are excellent examples of the quality of the students.'

Nicola, from Keighley, West Yorkshire, said her project to write the history of SSI Redcar has brought her some unexpected skills.

She said: 'I started right from when they first discovered iron ore at the site and I’ve learned a lot more about making steel than I ever thought I would.

'The internship’s been really useful. I’d never thought about doing a project like this and it has definitely added another string to my bow.

'I’ve had to learn a new writing style – it’s not like writing essays or news stories – and it gives me the option of changing direction into something like research if I wanted to.'

Thomas, from Sedgefield, County Durham, was invited to join SSI for what was initially a year-long placement.

As well as helping with internal and external communications and organising events, he also helps publish the monthly staff newspaper, Gossip.

He said: 'I’d heard about the steelworks closing on the news, but until you come here it’s hard to appreciate what it is they do.

'We’ve been here now since they started production again and working here has really helped me build a personal connection with the plant and I really want to help make the business a success.'

Araminta, is from Redcar and lives only a short journey from the plant. She said: 'It’s fantastic to get a job like this in my hometown.

'Our course really helped us prepare for what we do here.

'Things like the practice news days, for example, are exactly like when we’re putting the staff newspaper out now.' Craig added: 'It’s a great place to work and being able to carry on part time alongside my studies has enabled me to put a lot of what I learn into practice.'

Christa Van Raalte, Principal Lecturer in Media Studies at Teesside University’s School of Arts & Media, said: 'The reopening of the steelworks at Redcar is a great story for this region and we are delighted that these graduates can play a part in being able to tell that story.

'As a University we aim to equip all our students with the necessary talents to succeed in the workplace when they graduate and we are thrilled that these three have been able to bring their skills to bear to help SSI.'

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