Employers seeking out talent in Anglesey, Gwynedd and Flintshire are being given a financial boost thanks to a new skills-matching graduate internship initiative funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, part of the UK Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ agenda and facilitated by Bangor University.
Masi Jahan, originally from Afghanistan, is one of the first Bangor graduates to take up one of the 12-week ‘Talent Voucher’ placements offered through the University’s Skills and Innovation Voucher Scheme (SIV). Since March, he has been able to share his expertise in data analytics and visualisation with BIC Innovation based in M-SParc, Gaerwen, Anglesey. Whilst on paid internship, he is undertaking valuable R&D for the business consultancy, whilst also gaining essential workplace experience following his Computing MSc at Bangor University.
It really is a win-win situation. Masi is bringing a lot of innovative thinking to our business development, and using his background in both languages and computer science to help us prioritise our focus when it comes to how we develop our business.”
Before arriving in the UK in 2021, Masi studied an English undergraduate degree in Afghanistan and worked in linguistics, with an interest in language technology and how computers support and manipulate human languages. After settling in North Wales with his wife and young son, he joined local language technology company Pai Language Learning through M-SParc’s Skills Academy, and subsequently decided to pursue an MSc Computing Generalist course at Bangor University’s School of Computer Science and Engineering, which allows graduates from any discipline a route into Computer Science.
Masi said, “At first it was a challenge. My background was languages, so I hadn’t done much computing since high school! But I had a lot of support from my excellent personal tutor Mohammed Mabrook, and in the end and with a lot of perseverance I managed to complete my Masters with distinction. At the same time, I was working with a company called ‘Say Something in Welsh’ which furthered my interest in language and tech, so when I graduated I knew this was an industry I wanted to be part of.”
Following graduation, Masi contacted Bangor University’s Graduate Support office to update his CV and get support with looking for work - a service available to graduates for up to three years after finishing their studies.
“Bangor University’s Graduate Support Programme Manager Sian Shepherd matched me up with BIC Innovation using the Talent Voucher through the SIV Scheme. When I joined BIC Innovation, almost everything was new to me – but I’ve been able to apply my knowledge of SQL, Excel, Python and data analytics to the project I’m working on with the company’s Business Development Manager, Hilary Centeleghe. We’ve been digging deeper into the data analysis on potential business development opportunities, so that the company can focus their effort on those areas that offer the best growth potential.”
Masi emphasises that schemes like the Talent Vouchers are of huge benefit for new graduates and employers alike,
“I think schemes like this are greatly beneficial – I like to call them ‘golden boosters’. Those of us who are newly graduated really need this kind of stepping-stone to move into the graduate job market, because it is a very competitive field and getting a job is a worry, especially with a young family to support. It’s an opportunity to use my energy and put everything I’ve learnt into practice, which is vital for a good future. It’s given me a taste of the career I want.”
The Talent Vouchers (with a value of up to £5K) is one of three types skills and innovation vouchers available through the SIV scheme. The vouchers support local businesses to access expertise, facilities and skills at Bangor University and are funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, North Wales on behalf of Gwynedd Council, Isle of Anglesey County Council and Flintshire County Council.
For more information about the scheme, please contact e-mail: SIV@bangor.ac.uk or complete the online Expression of Interest form.
