A group of paid interns has successfully completed a major data transfer project on behalf of the Thermal Insulation Contractors Association (TICA) at its national training centre in Darlington.
Over the summer, seven students, aged 13 to 19, were introduced to various skills relevant to the thermal insulation sector. These interns, TICA’s largest cohort to date, collaborated with the trade body’s administrative staff to migrate the training records of more than 400 apprentices to a new software platform, following a system upgrade.
In addition to their office-based work, the interns, who reside within Tees Valley, had the opportunity to engage in practical thermal activities. These included taster sessions on cutting and applying insulation for pipework and using thermal imaging cameras to detect heat loss. Isabelle Lambe, 13, from Darlington, remarked, “Working with TICA over the summer has definitely been rewarding and has given me more confidence. I’ve learned practical and real-world skills, like time management, teamwork, and using new technology.”
Marion Marsland, CEO of TICA, highlighted the programme’s success: “This year, we significantly expanded our paid internship programme, and the results have been outstanding. The students have helped accelerate the data transfer process following our system upgrade.”
Marsland also emphasised the programme’s broader objectives: “Our aim was to demonstrate the diverse opportunities available within the industry while offering an experience that offers a greater understanding of the dynamics of the workplace environment. They impressed us with their efficiency and aptitude, often exceeding expectations, and I think the internship was mutually beneficial. They offered a great deal of support to our team and, in return, gained paid practical experience of life outside school and college, something that’s often difficult for young people to acquire.”
The success of this internship programme not only underscores the potential of young talent in contributing to significant projects but also highlights the importance of offering practical industry experience to students. The initiative has proven to be advantageous for both the interns and the TICA team.