ncl+ Careers Insight Award
January 29, 2019
We welcome Newcastle University to Toffee Factory this week for a creative and arts event as part of the ncl+ Careers Insight Award. The Award is designed to address research that shows under-represented students are less likely to enter graduate-level employment straight after studying. This is one of a number of events on the Award organised to support students’ aspirations, enabling relevant work experience, a range of development opportunities and network-building with employers on a local, national and international level.
Professor Richard Davies, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Engagement and Internationalisation, Newcastle University said,
“Employability has never been a bigger issue for universities in the UK. At Newcastle University, we strive to engage, challenge and support our students to discover and fulfil their potential, to be happy and successful, and to go on to shape the societies in which they live and continue to learn.”
Three businesses based at Toffee Factory have given their time to support the session by sharing experiences and insights into their professions.
Cool Blue Brand Communications, a communications agency with nationally recognised excellence in PR, social media, marketing, web and graphic design will be represented by Victoria McCartney (Head of Brand) and Mark Thomson (Head of Digital).
Victoria said, ‘One of the many rewards of working in our industry is meeting and collaborating with a diverse range of individuals – each of them from different backgrounds and entry points.
We look for individuals who have an outgoing personality, creativity and a willingness to learn.
We’re delighted to be able to support the work of Ncl+ and look forward to inspiring the stars of tomorrow.’
Ben Bennett founder of Luminous Group will also be speaking to the students. Luminous Group provide digital transformation to organisations through the latest 3D imaging and mixed reality technologies.
Neil Armstrong, artist and co-founder of 55 Creatives will be representing the creative and media industry. Showing how it is possible to carry out more than one pursuit at once.
Neil said, ‘I have developed a way of working which allows me to run commercially based projects alongside my art practice. In my case, when the job didn’t exist – I created it.’
Each will provide an insight into their companies and a typical working day. Offering valuable advice on recruitment and the skills needed to succeed in their sector. The floor will be opened up to questions to encourage students to delve further and get the most out of this fantastic opportunity. We at Toffee Factory are happy to host and facilitate this event which encourages students to fulfil their potential.
'We love working with the Toffee Factory and their excellent team. The space is brilliantly designed by Xsite Architecture to nurture creativity and features furniture and prints by a number of Northern designers we work with on the Northern Design Festival. We have done pop up design events at the Toffee Factory during Open Studios and are using the space for our partner events with the Crafts Council.'
Karen Nairstone – Director, Design EventNE
