12 Sep 2011 GRADUATE BUCKS THE TREND
Liverpool Hope University graduate Craig Holt defies the gloomy employment statistics for university leavers and lands himself a job with one of the largest wood based panel manufacturers in the World.
According to the Centre for Economics and Business Research, more than 50 per cent of last year's university-leavers were unemployed or under-employed six months on.
But Craig, a business and marketing graduate from Liverpool Hope University, has secured a career-defining opportunity as a trainee marketing graduate with Kronospan in Chirk, North Wales.
Kronospan is one of the World's most innovative design-led manufacturers of wood based panel products. The company's on-going investment in new technology and development has established it as a leader in sustainability and cutting-edge surface finishes within the design industry.
Craig, aged 22 from Llangollen, says: "I was attracted to the position at Kronospan for many reasons but my main motivation, from a personnel and marketing point of view, was the opportunity to work, learn and develop my career with a worldwide industry leading organisation.
"My hopes for the future are to develop and further my skills with a view of progressing as far as possible within Kronospan. In such a large organisation i hope there to be many opportunities."
Paul Duddle, Kronospan's product development and marketing manager, says: "We're delighted to welcome Craig to the design and marketing team and to be investing in such strong local talent. He has an amazing opportunity to work on a global stage, in a fast moving industry, for a design-led business, which has to be a dream start for any graduate."
Craig is currently working on promoting Kronospan's new Fresh2 range and helping to organise For(u)m; an exclusive event for leading manufacturers, designers, distributors and design commentators to shape Kronospan's surface trends for 2012-2013, held at the Centre for Design Excellence in Chirk.
Craig says: "My favourite aspect of the job so far would have to be the variety of tasks it entails, it makes every day different and more exciting. The diversity also helps me generate a better understanding of the business. I feel that i am settling in well. There is a lot of information to take in but all other staff are very friendly and happy to help."
Kronospan UK is one of the top 10 manufacturing companies in Wales, employing more than 600 people, 90 per cent of whom live within 10 miles of its North Wales site.
To find out more about a career with Kronospan email hr@kronospan.co.uk