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Identifying a gap
Pat Munro Ltd is an Alness-based multi-discipline contractor with interests in construction, haulage, plant hire, quarry products and waste services. A family business, Pat Munro was founded in 1945 and has grown to employ over 170 employees. The company has remained competitive and agile over the years thanks to ongoing investment in technology and its highly-trained workforce: products are tailored to meet precise customer requirements and Pat Munro sets the highest standards of customer service.
In 2020, Pat Munro鈥檚 commercial director, Mark Bramley, identified several IT projects that would introduce digitised processes and reduce administration time across all departments. The company鈥檚 existing IT team was already stretched, so Mark applied to hire a graduate via our Technology Placement Programme. This resulted in University of the Highlands and Islands Computing Science graduate, Michael Graves, joining Pat Munro as a Graduate System Analyst on a 12-month contract. Michael has now joined the business on a permanent basis.
The Technology Placement allowed us an element of ‘try before you buy’ in terms of IT improvements, which, had it not been for the grant, we may not have been able to trial.Mark Bramley, Commercial Director, Pat Munro
Making the business more efficient
During his placement, Michael was assigned a number of tasks which included introducing simplified accounting processes and automated procedures, improving online systems and reducing data entry requirements.
鈥淚t worked well when we previously took on a graduate through ScotGrad says Mark. 鈥淪o, when we had a variety of IT improvements planned at the company we decided to apply to the Technology Placement Programme.鈥�
Michael鈥檚 work streamlining accounting administration led to a 10% reduction in processing speeds, while his creation of customer portals increased the online provision of information to customers, sub-contractors and other partners. Furthermore, digital dashboards introduced by Michael during his placement enhanced information flow to management, helping increase the company鈥檚 focus on its KPIs.
鈥淗aving Michael on board allowed us to complete a number of the primary objectives, providing efficiencies in how we undertake a variety of activities,鈥� says Mark. 鈥淭he Technology Placement allowed us an element of 鈥榯ry before you buy鈥� in terms of IT improvements, which, had it not been for the grant, we may not have been able to trial.鈥�
So many jobs I looked at required experience which I didn’t have. But this placement allowed me to find somewhere I could gain experience in the area I want to work in.Michael Graves, Graduate Systems Analyst, Pat Munro
Looking to the future
Michael鈥檚 placement with Pat Munro was undoubtedly mutually beneficial. 鈥淢y experience was great, I really enjoyed the job,鈥� says Michael. 鈥淭he best thing about taking part was that I was able to jump straight into a job after university and get working on challenging and interesting tasks which used my knowledge from my degree. This placement made me aware that I don鈥檛 need to work in a computing or programming centric company to achieve my career goals.鈥�
As the year-long placement drew to a close in 2021, Pat Munro offered Michael the opportunity to join the team on a permanent basis, which he was delighted to accept. Michael credits the placement with giving him the chance to gain real-life experience working in his degree field, increasing his employability.
鈥淚 would definitely recommend this to anybody who is leaving university,鈥� enthuses Michael. 鈥淪o many jobs I looked at required experience which I didn鈥檛 have. But this placement allowed me to find somewhere I could gain experience in the area I want to work in.鈥�
Mark Bramley is also a firm advocate of the scheme - which companies are eligible to participate in twice 鈥� and he says it鈥檚 something Pat Munro would definitely consider again.
鈥淲e wouldn鈥檛 hesitate to engage with it again,鈥� says Mark. 鈥淲e gained as a company from having an additional qualified person working for us in-house. Michael proved his worth and it鈥檚 brilliant to have him onboard as a permanent member of the team now. The programme took the risk out of trialling something that we thought the business needed, and it鈥檚 really paid off.鈥�
To find out more, visit the Technology Placements 飞别产辫补驳别.听
ABOUT TECHNOLOGY PLACEMENTS AND THE NORTHERN INNOVATION HUB
The Technology Placement Programme is delivered by the Northern Innovation Hub. This is part of the Inverness and Highland City-Region Deal - a joint initiative supported by 拢315m investment from the UK and Scottish governments, The Highland Council, 麻豆精选 and University of the Highlands and Islands. This programme also receives financial support from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Innovation strategic intervention.
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