A COUNTY tech firm has taken on three college students, developing local talent.

Payara Services, based at Malvern Science Park, has welcomed three new junior interns to the team via its internship programme.

The three Worcester Sixth Form College students have been taken on with the support of Worcestershire County Council and the Local Enterprise Partnership.

Unfortunately, as a result of the workplace restrictions put in place due to COVID-19, Payara has had to postpone the work experience itself but is continuing with the monthly mentorship sessions which aim to provide the students with a positive link at a time when their education has been disrupted and uncertainty regarding their future is high.

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Julia Millidge, HR manager at Payara, said: “The Junior Internship Programme is a fantastic concept. Each year we receive numerous enquiries from local students requesting a week’s work experience, however, we felt there was so much more we could offer.

"Working with Worcestershire County Council on this programme gives us the chance to help local students in a more significant way.

"We have paired up our existing Degree Apprentices with the three interns with the expectation that being mentored by someone with recent experience of being in a similar position will benefit the students."

Olga Klosinska, junior intern at Payara, added: "I am interested in a career in software engineering and would love to learn more about the day to day tasks that the team carry out.

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"I have enjoyed my time on the programme so far and am very excited to learn new software development skills from the specialists here at Payara."

The Junior Internship Programme offers pupils from local sixth form colleges the opportunity to work with an employer on a placement scheme for up to two years, gaining experience within an industry that interests them, whilst being mentored on a monthly basis by volunteer employees.

In addition to this, Payara is looking at ways to extend its STEM outreach programme during this time, potentially offering focused webinars that sixth form students could sign up to.

If any school or colleges are interested, they can get in touch with Julia Millidge julia.millidge@payara.fish