Leading global hygiene and forest products company SCA has teamed up with Newcastle University’s School of Mechanical & Systems Engineering to launch its Life Inspiring Careers initiative for graduate engineers.
Marco Paternesi, HR Manager at SCA in Prudhoe, explains: “We are delighted to announce our alliance with one of the region’s leading universities. Paper making is a very competitive industry and attracting young talent is vital to the future of the company.
“Our manufacturing site in Prudhoe is a key strategic asset for the UK business and by partnering with Newcastle University we can start building relationships with talented local students and introduce them to the range of internships and graduate career opportunities we have available.
“Our Life Inspiring Internship programme is an ideal opportunity for students to feel the spirit of working within an international company while working on real projects that matter.
“It’s designed to be a challenging journey for the students, and with the help of SCA professionals, these internships will contribute to building a foundation for a bright future, both for the students and us.
“Meanwhile our SCA GO! Programme sets out to give new graduates the opportunity to get their very first job. It has been developed in line with SCA’s global employer attractiveness concept – Life Inspiring Careers – to make sure that we keep attracting the right employees to grow our internal skill base and meet the business needs of the future.”
SCA is the largest consumer tissue company in the UK and Ireland. Its paper mill on Princess Way in Prudhoe is the home of its popular Velvet tissue brand.
The company currently has five internship projects for young engineers at Prudhoe. They are open to all university students, especially those in the final stage of their studies. Each internship is a minimum of ten weeks with no fixed upper time limit, giving students the opportunity to write their Masters theses.
John Lockey, Industrial Liaison Manager for the School of Mechanical & Systems Engineering at Newcastle University, said: “For SCA, introducing its Life Inspiring Internships and graduate career opportunities to our students is an exciting way to keep up with industry trends and to connect with people soon to be entering the workforce.
“By working with us and promoting SCA’s name among students the company is able to tap into and attract some of the best emerging talent in the market. The internships are also an excellent opportunity for SCA to get in touch with individual students and observe them in a real work environment.”
SCA develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products with sales conducted in 100 countries. Its paper mill on Princess Way in Prudhoe is one of six manufacturing sites across the UK.
In 2014, 66 per cent of UK households bought SCA-branded products, such as Velvet, Plenty, Cushelle, Bodyform and TENA. SCA Prudhoe Mill is the second largest manufacturing employer in Northumberland with a workforce in excess of 400.
In 2015 SCA was named as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the eighth year in a row by the prestigious Ethisphere Institute. The rankings recognise companies who demonstrate superior achievements in transparency, integrity, ethics and compliance.