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Briar Chemicals welcomed college students from Wymondham College who are interested in pursuing a career in Chemical Engineering.

On Thursday 18th February the college students met Briar’s Site Manager, Tim Green and Commercial Manager, Susan Brench, to learn more about career prospects within a chemical manufacturing company. Qualifications in Chemistry and Chemical Engineering open doors to a broad range of interesting and rewarding opportunities including plant management, technical and production support, and commercial roles.

Tim and Susan hold honours degrees in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough and Cambridge Universities respectively and therefore were able to offer career advice and answer the students’ questions in relation to their enrolment in university courses.

Chemical engineering students viewing production units on Briar Chemical's site
Students viewing production units on Briar Chemical’s site

The college students were also given the opportunity to learn more about manufacturing processes by being given a tour of two of the production units and their control rooms, offering a valuable insight into real life operation.

 

Jo, one of the students who visited the site said;

It has made my mind up that I would really like to get into chemical engineering. I found the tour very interesting and it’s definitely the sort of career I’d love to have.

Nathan Spencer (pictured with the Wymondham students), guided the students around the site. Nathan is a work placement student from Loughborough University, who is currently working at Briar for a year as part of his degree programme, supporting the maintenance and engineering department.

Nathan said;

Whilst working at Briar, I am gaining valuable experience that will provide me with knowledge of the industry and an insight into the possibilities for the next stage in my career.

Briar invests in its employees, encouraging the workforce to develop their skills, competences and knowledge by providing clear progression routes and career pathways which allow individuals to reach their full potential.

Every year the company hosts local “Year in Industry” students, work placements and apprenticeships, as well as supporting careers days, promoting work in science and engineering based industries. Briar has facilitated special workshops which promote the message “Science learning is fun” and hosts the annual Science Investigation Days organised by the Royal Society of Chemistry.