A bridge & a route to a new future

University of Teesside BSc (Hons) Computer Science graduate Neil Cleasby has celebrated after winning an award reflecting his hard work and commitment to his new career as a Computer System Validator.

Neil, 24, from Stockton-on-Tees, took part in a 15-week University of Teesside scheme called Bridges & Routes - an initiative part-funded by the European Development Fund, to help graduates take their first step into a new career. While on the scheme, the graduate gains essential work experience, which often leads to permanent work, with a local employer while also earning £125 per week. Neil’s hard work and commitment resulted in him winning a special award from the University.

Neil, who was taken on as a full-time employee by his placement company, IDEC Validation, said: “It was an unexpected win for me. However I did put a lot of effort when I was working on the course so I was very pleased that my hard work was rewarded. The bridges and routes scheme helped me by providing an initial route in to IDEC Validation. It helped both me and the company as I could be trained in a new field whilst receiving support from Bridges & Routes.”

IDEC Validation provides a full range of validation solutions for companies in the pharmaceutical industry. ‘Validation’ is the testing and documentation of all of a companies systems and equipment to ensure it conforms to the regulatory standards.

Neil’s role as a Computer System Validator sees him provide validation expertise for IDEC’s clients. His main field is validating computer hardware and software systems but also provides general validation such as pharmaceutical equipment validation. His clients have included Pharmacia, Delta Biotechnology and he is currently working at Avecia biotechnology in Billingham

For further information on the Bridges & Routes programme, call Faye Thompson at the University of Teesside on 01642 384426.

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