Two leading Northern Ireland firms are taking on international trainees to boost business.
Devenish Nutrition and Michelin Tyres want other local companies to get behind IAESTE (the International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience) — a programme managed by the British Council.
IAESTE provides highly motivated and talented graduates from over 80 countries worldwide to support engineering, IT and industrial companies gain an edge in the marketplace. Through the initiative, businesses hire international trainees from six weeks up to a year, with the potential for trainees to stay on as permanent employees.
Devenish Nutrition, which specialises in supplying quality animal feed, has taken part in the programme for the past two years and through it, has been able to increase international trade links.
Deborah McGann, human resources manager at Devenish Nutrition, said: “Through the programme we can match the trainees to our needs and requirements, and this year welcomed two agriculture engineers — Nazli Selale Yigiter from Turkey and Kanda Marysellah Naswa from Kenya — to the firm.
“International links are developed through the scheme, and we are still in contact with last year’s trainees, with one now working for us at our plant in Kenya. IAESTE has only been a good thing for our business.”
Gary Smith, project co-ordinator at Michelin’s Ballymena plant who took part in the global exchange scheme in 1996, said: “IAESTE offers a fresh approach to some very difficult challenges that businesses face. “It brings the best out of a firm and helps elevate a business’ performance, while also giving businesses access to a worldwide skills pool; which can invigorate a company in the summer months.”
By hosting a trainee, NorthernIreland businesses are also developing home grown talent. IAESTE works on a reciprocal basis, so for every placement offered in Northern Ireland local students are able to avail of a work placement overseas.
For companies interested in hosting an international trainee, IAESTE takes care of visa and work permits, with the only cost to businesses being the trainee’s salary – which must adhere to the UK’s minimum wage.