Home Manufacturing & Industry NYMAS partners with Teesside University to develop local talent

NYMAS partners with Teesside University to develop local talent

(left to right) Mohammed Ouidir, Joseph Taylor, Lewis Brown, Director of NYMAS Keith Culmer and Senior Designer at NYMAS Lawrence Stratton

A North East accessible washroom supplier has teamed up with Teesside University to help develop the skills and knowledge of three students.

Billingham-based NYMAS has welcomed interns Joseph Taylor, Mohammed Ouidir and Jamaal Baksh to the company.

They will spend six weeks with the NYMAS team expanding their skillset, which will put them on the right path to achieve their career ambitions.

Second-year mechanical engineering student Mohammed is looking forward to enhancing his Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software skills during his internship.


He said: “I really enjoy using CAD software and I’m excited to have been given the opportunity to help NYMAS update several of its product designs as part of my development with the firm.”

Having recently completed his degree in BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering, Joseph, who will start his masters’ qualification in Aerospace Engineering in September, was attracted to the internship to gain a greater understanding of how engineering companies perform. He will work alongside NYMAS’ Quality Coordinator Andre Simao to ensure the products designed are of the highest standard.

Due graduate in July, mechanical engineering student Jamaal investigates stress analysis on bolts in order to create a fixing kit for products at his role in NYMAS.

To further develop NYMAS and help the firm gain a competitive edge, the company is also running a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), thanks to Teesside University.

The world-leading programme was created to help businesses prosper by connecting them to the UK’s rich academic resources.

After graduating from Teesside University with a BA (Hons) Product Design, Lewis Brown, who is from Yarm, joined NYMAS in September as its KTP associate and will work with firm for two years.

Lawrence Stratton, senior designer at NYMAS said: “Running a KTP is a great opportunity for both the graduate and company involved. The KTP at NYMAS is driving process change, bringing innovation and new product development.

“NYMAS is benefitting from the resources brought to us via the KTP. Not only do we have a new talented design professional within the firm, but we also receive the support of key academics within Teesside University and access to testing and proving facilities.”

Director of NYMAS, Keith Culmer, said: “There are many benefits that local students and graduates can bring to Teesside organisations, and companies need to invest in young people as they bring fresh ideas to help innovate, and are always keen to develop their skills.

“The KTP is driving innovation and helping to bring new ideas and concepts to NYMAS. I am excited by what we are already achieving through the programme and look forward to the future developments.”

Norman Day, Head of Student Futures at Teesside University, said: “We are delighted to be working so closely with an ambitious and forward-thinking company such as NYMAS. The internship scheme is not only a fantastic opportunity for our students to gain experience in a real world environment, it also allows companies such as NYMAS to develop their skills in key areas.

“We have fantastic student and graduate talent here at Teesside University and it is great to see a local company like NYMAS taking advantage of the opportunities that we can provide.”