Last summer, several of our KTP company partners benefited from having Nuffield Research Placement students working for them through STEM Sussex at the University of Brighton.  Funded by the Nuffield Foundation, the students have completed their AS levels Studies involving a Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths (STEM) subject, and they work in a defined technical role for 4-6 weeks, usually over the summer.

Natalie Ighrao from St Paul’s Catholic College in Burgess Hill, and George Wood from Central Sussex College in Haywards Heath both worked with PSM Instrumentation Ltd last summer, one of our KTP company partners who specialise in marine control instrumentation and protection systems. 

Technical Director, Pete Cooper, said: “The Nuffield Research Placement is a great scheme that offers the students first-hand insight into industry and provides the host company with many tangible benefits. Our students, Natalie and George, jumped in feet first, open-minded and willing to help out. We were able in the short time available to concentrate their efforts in providing PSM Instrumentation additional hands-on technical assistance which has since proved invaluable in developing our products further. ”

Supervised by the two KTP Associates delivering the KTP project, the students provided real technical results for the company as part of a bigger piece of work looking into a ‘live’ technical challenge within the company.

As a direct supervisor for one the students, KTP Associate Daniel Rodriguez-Sanmartin said:  “The Nuffield students provided us with an opportunity to put into practice the management training provided by the KTP scheme and with their help some aspects of our projects were investigated further. Overall I think it was a very good experience for both the KTP Associates and the Nuffield students.”

If you think you could benefit from having a Nuffield Research Placement student working for you on a specific technical project, please see STEM Sussex’ website for more information, or get in touch with one of the team at the Centre for Collaboration and Partnership.