The Robe student 'PLASA experience' scheme was initiated last year by Ian W Brown, sales manager from Robe UK in conjunction with Stuart Green, course leader from Prifysgol De Cymru (University of South Wales). It is designed to give successful applicants a taste of the high-pressure, rough-and-tumble world of trade shows and first-hand experience of this lighting industry element.
The four lucky 2013 students - Owain Jones, Heather Kirby, Greg Westwood and Beth Mae MacDonald - were selected after submitting a CV and engaging in a phone interview with Ian who comments, "They were all really high calibre." Having spent a fair time at the University of South Wales, he is generally most impressed with the attitude and aptitude of students and graduates from these courses.
He looked for individuals with initiative, personality and a real energy and enthusiasm for the industry.
"Working with Robe at PLASA is one of the greatest 'baptisms of fire' that anyone can have to the trade show environment and it's also an ideal opportunity for them to meet people and learn the art of networking as well as becoming more familiar with the products and our company," he explains.
Prior to that, all four were among a party of students from the university who visited the Robe factory in Valaské Mezi?í?í earlier in the year where they were able to meet key personnel involved in the manufacturing process and see how it all happens, as well as enjoy Robe's renowned hospitality.
Once on the PLASA booth, the students were fully briefed on all the new products and proved to be an essential first point of contact for numerous visitors and invaluable members of the Robe team. With the booth being completely rammed with people from opening to closing every day of the show, the activity was non-stop.
All four students came out of PLASA having gained valuable experience, increased their knowledge and dramatically boosted their confidence levels as well as making many new contacts. For Beth, one of the most important things she learned was "How to approach people, expand on the information they want and work as a team".
Greg was impressed about many things when he visited the factory, including the fact that Josef made time in his busy schedule to meet and spend time with them and ensure that they didn't feel like 'only students'. He was also surprised "How easy it was to settle in on the stand and how everyone was so willing to explain things and answer any questions".
Owain, just starting his final year, admits to being a little nervous before the show opened on the first day. However this soon evaporated and by the end of the final day he felt like he'd been working for Robe for ages. He thought the lightshow was "Fantastic and that the products are world class".
For Heather who is on the Lighting Design course, working with Robe at PLASA was a fantastic all-round experience which she really appreciates. "The people are really friendly and made me feel immediately at home . . . and it's been amazing all round!" she declares.
Stuart Green highlights that working with a globally successful brand like Robe offers a platform and opportunity that they would not normally have and also gives them a greater understanding and appreciation of the technology and thinking behind the products. "The support from Robe and Ian is fantastic".
Ian concludes, "For us it's great to be able to offer potential professionals of the future a chance to increase their knowledge and experience in a real environment and hopefully encourage them all to move forward with their careers."
(Jim Evans)
