Robert Gordon University (RGU) student Ryan Brownie is putting theory into practice while on placement with a world-wide risk control organisation.
Ryan, who is studying Business Management at RGU’s Aberdeen Business School, has joined Matrix Risk Control (UK) Ltd on a three-month placement.
Based at their offices at Arnall Business Park in Westhill, Ryan has been involved with the project management team of ‘The Matrix Way’; presented to the CEO and directors as part of a focus group and has been compiling data research for a number of exciting new developments.
He is keen to be involved in the marketing aspects of the business but is also benefitting from a wide exposure to the work scope operated by Matrix.
He said: “It has been a busy fortnight and I have been impressed by the way Matrix have welcomed me into the team.
“It’s an excellent way for me to build on my academic studies and apply what I have already learned in a practical setting.”
Ryan joined the company through RGU’s Talent Exchange which is a new initiative that provides opportunities for small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) to access the skills and knowledge of the university’s students in ways that are tailored to their specific needs. This in turn helps RGU students build their CV and increase their employability.
Scott Bruce, operations & assurance manager at Matrix Risk Control, said: “The Company wanted to establish a long term relationship with the academic institutions and we approached RGU’s Talent Exchange who introduced us to Ryan and we are delighted to be able to support him through this programme to enhance his learning.
“We hope this to be the first in a number of opportunities to work alongside the university in the future.”
The Talent Exchange Programme has attracted hundreds of small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) across the North-east of Scotland.
The initiative, which was established with funding from the Scottish Funding Council, currently has 175 student work-related experiences recently completed or underway in SMEs, where students from a range of disciplines are selected for either one-off challenges, short-term projects and placements of varying lengths.
Yvonne Cook, Project Manager for Talent Exchange, says: “Talent Exchange facilitates easy access to the university for SMEs and to the skills and knowledge of RGU students who can put their learning into action and bring specialist skills and a fresh perspective to help a business grow.
“We are delighted to have established a link with Matrix Risk Control and are always happy to hear that as a result of Talent Exchange there have been positive benefits to both the business and the student.
“The demand from businesses looking to engage with Talent Exchange has been fantastic to date and is testament to the needs of SMEs to be able to flexibly tap into the skills and knowledge of RGU students.”