FOOTBALL PRODIGY SETS HIS SIGHTS ON ENGINEERING EXCELLENCE

 

Scott Douglas, 21, was on the books of Sunderland AFC and enjoyed international trials with England School Boys. However, after opting to substitute his football ambitions and concentrate on becoming a qualified engineer, Scott is now being supported through his education by his employer The Specials Laboratory.

 

A decorated local young footballer, Scott, of Prudhoe, also starred as a forward for the FA North County and Redheugh Boys Club before deciding to join The Specials Laboratory. The award-winning company is one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of unlicensed medicines – known as ‘specials’ – which are bespoke-made for individual patients.

 

After completing two temporary contracts working in the company’s over labeling warehouse area, Scott was offered a permanent role with the Northumberland-based pharmaceutical specialist.

 

While working for the business, Scott shined after being given an opportunity to help with holiday cover for the engineering manager. As engineering requirements grew across the medicine manufacturer’s three facilities, Scott was rewarded for his passion and ambition and appointed as the company’s first trainee maintenance engineer.

 

Commenting on his chosen career path, Scott said: “When I arrived at The Specials Laboratory, it provided me with a settled working environment and surrounded me with great people. From day one I felt valued here so naturally I jumped at the chance to work for the company on a permanent basis.

 

“I am really enjoying my new profession and am extremely determined to become a qualified engineer, which is why I am putting a great deal of effort into both my new role and my studies.”

 

Having passed his Portable Appliance Testing (PAT) course on his first attempt, his employer is now also funding Scott through a two-year manufacturing engineering course at Newcastle College, allowing Scott study leave every Monday.

 

“Even though I have a busy role to fulfill and need to pass an assignment every six weeks, I love the continuous learning as it all relates to engineering. I am picking up new skills ever day and gain a great amount of satisfaction in being able to problem solve and fix various things that benefit the business and my colleagues.

 

“I am very ambitious and want to learn as much as possible to progress at The Specials Lab. The company has shown great belief in me and I am totally committed to repaying them for this brilliant opportunity.”

 

And commenting on his beloved beautiful game, he added: “Having taken football so seriously for so many years, I am now able to actually really enjoy my football playing for the local club on the weekend with my friends”.

 

Lee Craig, deputy general manager at The Specials Laboratory, said: “Scott made a positive impression on everyone as soon as he arrived. He is a very likeable guy and is determined on furthering his education, becoming a qualified engineer and progressing within the business.

 

“We place a great amount of emphasis on staff training and development at The Specials Laboratory and it really shows off when you see young employees like Scott shining and adding greater value to our team.

 

The Specials Laboratory was recently awarded the “Silver“ Investors in People (IiP) status – an honour achieved by less than 1% of IiP recognised organisations across the UK. The company, which employs around 135 people, was also accredited as a Best Companies to Work For ‘One To Watch’ earlier this year.

 

The company has shot to business stardom over the last decade winning multiple awards and enjoying consecutive year-on-year growth in terms of sales and staff numbers. Major honours have included being crowned North-East Small Business of the Year, listed in the prestigious Sunday Times Fast Track 100 list and profiled by The Financial Times.

 

 

For further information please contact Raman Sehgal - ramans@specialslab.co.uk