Newport City Council’s innovative Work Based Learning Academy is working with the University of South Wales and Tata Steel to help graduates put their theories into practice.

A placement system was developed last year by the three organisations for recently graduated degree students who want some practical experience in industry.

Two pharmaceutical students were the first to take advantage of the scheme and worked for three months at Tata Electrical Steel’s production plant in the city where they gained experience in a number of testing and investigation techniques.

It proved so successful that both continued to work at the site for several months more than their original placements before taking the next steps in their careers.

Mark Cichuta, general manager of the Tata plant in Newport, said: “This is a great initiative to get industrial experience to supplement their university studies to improve their career opportunities while businesses benefit from the drive and energy of recently qualified graduates.

“Both students have made clear plans for their career direction directly as a result of the six months they have spent with us.”

Nick Webb, site chemist at Tata Steel, said: “The students have helped us to improve our understanding of how to train young people while getting tangible benefits to the business and Newport at the same time – it’s a win-win-win.”

One of the graduates, Baitavi Sivasubamaniyam, explained that the opportunity was advertised by Newport City Council through the university and the WBLA was very supportive.

“The placement has given me a great experience in a different industry but related to science. I have gained presentation skills and practical experience.”

Councillor Deb Davies, Newport City Council’s cabinet member for skills and work, said: “It is brilliant that these two graduates have found this scheme so useful to their future prospects and it is a tribute to the WBLA, Tata and the University of South Wales that it has worked so well.

“This was a new concept from the WBLA and one which I’m sure they will continue to develop to benefit more students when they graduate later this year.

“It is another strand of the work being carried out in Newport by the WBLA who are working with businesses to get people into the world of work whether they are graduates, young people who have just left school or the long-term unemployed.

“Using a variety of programmes and initiatives, the council is making a real difference to people’s lives by helping them to find worthwhile employment that will benefit them, their families and the city as a whole.”