MacGregor (GBR) Ltd has established a new relationship with Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen by providing work placements that support the career development of graduates.

The Aberdeen office of MacGregor’s Global Lifecycle Support Division will work with the university to provide practical workplace opportunities for undergraduate and post-graduate students that will assist with their development activities.

Through a series of planned short-term placements students will assist with marketing and commercial development for MacGregor’s UK-based operations, including its new training centre.

Recently introduced to deliver specialist skills and competencies to MacGregor engineers and its customers, the centre includes a bespoke, real-time davit training rig, which replicates the operations of onboard work boat and lifeboat launch and recovery davit systems including towing boom operation.

The Aberdeen operation is the leading launch and recovery service provider within MacGregor’s Global Lifecycle Support Division and is Lloyds Approved to LR IRZ17 for servicing and testing of lifeboats/launching appliances and on-load release gear. It also supports MacGregor’s Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Unit in Kristiansand, Norway.

Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School works closely with business and industry across the city to support the skills development and transition of students into employment through a successful placement programme. More than 90 percent of its undergraduate courses have a placement option with a growing number of postgraduate programmes also offering workplace development opportunities.

Christopher Byles, UK Branch Financial Controller for MacGregor (GBR) Ltd, says: “Establishing this new relationship with Robert Gordon University supports our ambitions to support the development of talented and motivated people keen to apply their skills in our sector.

“The university’s enthusiastic students bring fresh ideas that will benefit the development and marketing of our services while, at the same time, they gain invaluable real-world experience that will assist them in their future careers.”

Lisa Dunn, placement manager at Robert Gordon University’s Aberdeen Business School, says: “We are delighted to work with MacGregor to provide our students with the chance to support the company’s business development and marketing activities.

“The offshore industry is multi-faceted as are the career opportunities and this new relationship demonstrates to our students the range of roles that are available in businesses operating in the sector.”