Somerset's Singer Instruments teams up with University of Plymouth to find new talent

A Somerset business has joined forces with University of Plymouth to tackle the challenge of recruiting skilled and ambitious engineers to help design new scientific and medical instruments.

Through the partnership, University of Plymouth engineering graduate Pierre Rouaze has now joined Singer Instruments as an electronics intern.

Singer Instruments invents, designs and makes specialist medical products for scientists all over the world from its state-of-the-art premises in Watchet, east of Minehead. As a global player, the firm needs talented engineers but its rural location has traditionally made recruitment a challenge.

Having recently been made a member of the GAIN20­ – the South West’s most exciting and innovative businesses identified by University of Plymouth’s GAIN team – Singer Instruments now has access to a unique mix of opportunities and support. Through the network, Enterprise Solutions – the University’s gateway for business enquiries­­ – connected the firm with the University’s Careers and Employability team, who were able to help Singer find a new intern. In addition to addressing its recruitment challenges, the firm has used the GAIN20 network to source a component for a new product.

Singer Instruments Operations Manager Robbie Devlin said:

“Although we have only recently become a member of the GAIN20, we’re already seeing significant benefits. The network helped us find a component for a new product, which saved us from a crisis when we were faced with the very real prospect of missing a product launch deadline.”

“As a global player, we need the best people, but recruitment has always been a challenge, given our rural location. We’re not just looking for the necessary skills and experience, we also want to attract people who share our ethos of a responsibility to science. Through the GAIN20 we found out about Plymouth University’s Career and Employability team, who helped us to find Pierre. It was clear from his University work that he’s an innovator and could offer something new.”

“Being part of the GAIN20 is giving us a wider perspective and shows that, when it comes to solving business problems, collaborative minds are better than one.”

Pierre Rouaze, who is originally from France and is due to graduate this summer with a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, has also worked with South West firms Plessey Semiconductors and Building Mechanical Electrical, and as a professional diving instructor in Australia.

Pierre said:

“I was looking for an R&D role to follow my university studies, so this internship came at the right time. Working with Singer Instruments is giving me the opportunity to design new components for machinery, which will help the business launch new products. I’ve been impressed by the professionalism of the team – it’s a good group of people and a great environment to work in.”

As part of their remit to deliver business growth in the South West, Plymouth University’s GAIN team is working with partners across the region to bring together the GAIN20. The aim of the new network is to boost enterprise and innovation while working with University of Plymouth’s students, and tapping into its research opportunities and world-class facilities. GAIN20 members have exclusive access to networking groups and events, University of Plymouth facilities, equipment and knowledge and peer-to-peer support from the other members and a community of established pathfinder businesses.

Corporate Projects Manager for University of Plymouth, Richard Adams, said:

“The GAIN20 is the first network of its kind and is a unique opportunity for South West businesses to tap into a wealth of expertise, support and facilities. Although it was only established three months ago, our members are already telling us that they are seeing benefits from being part of it.”

“The GAIN20 is focused on giving opportunities to its members, to boost enterprise and innovation in the South West, but the University also benefits from collaborating with businesses. In this case, coming together has not only helped Singer Instruments tackle its recruitment challenges but has also given one of our graduates a fantastic opportunity.”