Paxton has resumed its scholarship programme for 2022. The security technology manufacturer will provide paid summer placements for STEM students and a £10,000 contribution to the cost of their final year of study.
Paxton’s UK headquarters, Technology Centre, and manufacturing facilities are based in the county of Sussex, with sites in Brighton and Eastbourne. The British manufacturer has been developing security systems in the area since the nineteen-eighties and ships their security products internationally.
The Paxton’s Scholarship programme was first launched in 2017. Since then, Paxton has been working closely with the University of Brighton, and the University of Sussex, offering three-month paid summer placements for their second-year STEM students. They support candidates who are studying product design, electronics, mechanical engineering, computing, maths, and physics.
Hayley Scanlon, Resourcing Advisor at Paxton explains: “It’s great for Paxton to be able to identify new talent in the local area, as well as give students the opportunity to get real-life industry experience. And of course, the financial support is helpful in their final year.”
In 2020, Paxton had to pause the initiative due to Government restrictions to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Prior to this, Paxton held open days once a year for interested students to visit their state-of-the-art facilities, before making the decision to apply for the scholarship programme.
For the upcoming academic year, Paxton has had to adapt their process to allow the new cohort of students to apply, while government guidance still advises against large group sessions. Hayley continues: “Throughout November, we held tours for small groups of up to four students. Normally we see around 100 students apply a year, after first attending our open day.
“We have now completed 80 tours. We have seen a lot of bright and excited students walk through the doors. This makes us extremely optimistic about the next stages of the process.”
After taking part in the tour, students are invited to apply for a scholarship by filling out an application form and then attending a face-to-face interview. Those who are successful in the application process will start a three-month paid placement in July 2022, as well as receive £10,000 to help support them financially in their final year.
Robert Yates, Head of Development at the University of Sussex explains: “Students today want their university to provide them with employability skills and career development opportunities.
“The Paxton Scholarship benefits the university enormously and it gives our students valuable experience in a global company. This is something that will really make their CV’s stand out. It will enhance their employability significantly and open their eyes to the breadth of opportunities beyond their studies.”