ASSOCIATIONS & TRAINING
ASSA ABLOY OPENING SOLUTIONS DOOR GROUP INTERNATIONAL INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME NURTURES NEW TALENT
Door Group , a unit of ASSA ABLOY , has successfully implemented a new international internship programme to support marketing and technical needs .
» THE MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL initiative has helped to nurture new talent , while Door Group has had the advantage of a fresh European perspective from interns .
The new scheme was introduced with the help of the European Student Placement Agency ( ESPA ), who provide high-quality work placements for international students .
Although the team based in Lisburn team had previously hired local apprentices and welcomed graduates from other business units , it was the first time it had used this type of facilitated service and welcomed interns from overseas .
Since the introduction of the scheme , interns have added value to Door Group as their studies have provided them with a different perspective and experiences , bringing a new and international dimension to the team .
Maria Masdeu
Alberto Pagnozzi
Maria Masdeu , an Advertising and Public Relations post-graduate student from Spain , became the first intern to join the Door Group team in 2020 . Maria brought with her modern marketing expertise that the company found increasingly valuable throughout her sixmonth internship .
At the end of the placement , the company were highly impressed with Maria ’ s contribution , and she had become a great asset to the team , so decided to hire her permanently .
Brian Sofley , Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland Door Group , explained : “ Maria understood our business needs very quickly , and our online presence and social media started to become a lot more effective . Maria has helped us create content for the new global website and ensure all our documentation was up to date , with a consistent and corporate feel .”
Maria says : “ I had always wanted to move abroad after my degree , and ASSA ABLOY gave me the perfect opportunity with a six months internship . I left my comfort zone , discovered the hidden gems of Northern Ireland , and met wonderful people .
“ I am happy and grateful that they believed in me and gave me the chance to come in full-time . These last two years have been an incredible learning opportunity for me - I have grown both professionally and personally , faced many challenges , and had the chance to gain global experience .
“ To everyone hesitating , if they should embark on this experience , I would say that doing an international internship can be life-changing and challenges you into a new environment and culture .”
Following Maria ’ s successful appointment , Door Group gave Marija Juric from Croatia and Sorinela Buzdugan from Moldova placements within the
Sorinela Buzdugan & Mariam Tabarik
Marketing team , Alberto Pagnozzi from Italy came as a Finance intern while Mariam Tabarik from Pakistan joined as a Materials , Research and Development intern .
Brian added : “ When you bring different cultures into an office and they interact with local people , everybody benefits . We get to know their culture and they get to know ours .
“ Some of these students not only have bright ideas but they think in a different way . They also have access to the world of technology and understand the role of things like AI , and they use technology as part of their daily lives .
“ We get so many benefits from our intern programme , and in return we ’ re giving them the opportunity to learn about business , to get practically involved in the area they are focused on .
“ We are helping to grow talent , and sometimes we get the chance to bring them on full time – but even if not , it ’ s good for them to have ASSA ABLOY on their CV and it helps them in terms of being attractive to future employers .
“ We hope the collaboration with ESPA lasts for many years to come , and we can continue to gain the advantage of international determination and collaboration within the team .”
To find out more about career opportunities with ASSA ABLOY , go to https :// www . assaabloy . com / uk / en / career
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JUL / AUG 2022
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