Teesside University graduate lands job with Nifco

A graduate who helped an award-winning car parts company find new markets has been offered a job with the firm.

Michelle Blackett, who graduated from Teesside University with a first class degree in product design, worked with Stockton-based Nifco during a nine-month project to explore the firm’s potential markets.

The 23-year old from Hartlepool so impressed the firm on her knowledge transfer partnership organised by the university and the company that it was extended and she was then offered a job.

She said: “My time at Nifco has been a massive learning curve and a really exciting opportunity for me.

“The support I have had from both Nifco and Teesside University has been great, and the fact that the company is investing in young people like me, who are just starting out on their career, is something to be proud of. I really do feel privileged to be given this opportunity in the current climate where jobs are hard to find.”

She found the £30m business, named North East Company of the Year 2010 in the Journal’s awards, could produce parts for more sectors than just its traditional motor industry clients.


Mike Matthews, managing director of Nifco UK, said: “Having Michelle on board has given us the opportunity to really gain an understanding into the markets we could look to enter and the types of products we are able to develop.

“Teesside University has been fantastic in giving support to us as a business, and more importantly to Michelle, helping her to develop her skills and confidence and enabling her to fit fantastically into the company. We’re glad to have her as part of the team.”

As well as undertaking her KTP, Nifco has paid for Michelle to complete an MSc in marketing management, a two-year part time course, which she is three months into.

Peter Reid, a senior lecturer at Teesside University, mentored Michelle throughout her KTP. He said: “Introducing new product development to a successful company such as Nifco UK would be quite daunting for an established professional, not least a recent graduate.

“Michelle has risen to the challenge brilliantly, quickly networking within the company and getting to grips with a complex project that could bring about real growth opportunities for Nifco.”

Source: Iain Laing, Nebusiness.co.uk, Wednesday 21st December 2011