Apprentice recognised for health & safety intervention

Matthew Slater, Process Technician Apprentice, has been recognised by his employers, Venator, for going above and beyond when it comes to health and safety. Matthew had only been on the Greatham Works site for a short period of time when he suggested a health and safety improvement the company could make.

Matthew was awarded the company’s ENGAGE award and was thanked personally by the Plant Manager, Scott Dunne and Safety Manager, Richie Graham as well as receiving a letter of thanks from Venator's Chloride Manufacturing Director and Site Director, Marek Pawlak and their Greatham site’s EHSQ Manager, Gary Watson.

Paul Frank, one of Matthew’s lecturers at the College said, “As part of Matthew’s course, students are made aware of the importance of health and safety and they are encouraged to be proactive in their workplaces. The fact that Matthew has been given this award is very pleasing indeed.”

Richie Graham, safety manager at Venator commented, “Matthew has shown exceptional maturity and this award is richly deserved. Health and safety is of paramount importance and Matthew’s behaviour has underlined this ethos.”

Venator is one of a number of organisations that collectively form the Science Industry Apprenticeship Consortium (SIAC) in the North East of England. Hartlepool College has been working collaboratively with SIAC for five years, predominantly delivering apprenticeship training for their future maintenance technician and process operators. More recently the College have been delivering apprenticeship training for some of the organisations’ future safety, health and environment technicians.