Campus connections, canals and theremins
College graduate Daniel Baron has found a new job at Power Gems thanks to Wigan & Leigh College helping in the hunt for young talent.
The appointment of Daniel Baron as a Test Engineer is the result of a new collaboration between Power Gems and the local college of further education.
Daniel, 24, from Lowton, graduated in 2021 with a 2:1 from the University of Central Lancashire in Electrical & Electronic Engineering.
Canals
He spent four years as an engineering trainee at AmcoGiffen working on instrumentation for the canal and river network, so he’ll feel right at home at Power Gems. We’ve ended up close to a canal each time Power Gems has moved premises. But then, you know what they say, in Greater Manchester you’re only ever six feet away from a barge.
Our newest team member is well placed to hit the ground running. During seven years of vocational study at Wigan & Leigh College, Daniel Baron progressed from achieving a triple distinction at Level 3 to completing his BEng (Hons) Electrical & Electronic Engineering degree.
Campus connections
In October 2021, his lecturer, Tamoor Shafique, Deputy Head of Engineering HE at Wigan & Leigh College, visited Power Gems to discuss opportunities to develop a relationship between academia and industry. At the time Phil made Tamoor aware of the career opportunities Power Gems can offer and the type of students we would like to recruit.
As a teaching staff member closest to the students on campus, Tamoor had kept in touch with Daniel, and he was responsible for encouraging him to apply to Power Gems.
Daniel says, “I was thankfully successful in securing the position. It’s nice to know that tutors at the College continue to support students after completion of their course.”
Phil is pleased to welcome Daniel to Power Gems HQ in Irlam. “Working with colleges is a great way to bring industry-ready talent into the business. Daniel has got stuck into the Power Gems range and has the skills required to develop a rewarding long-term career.”
Phil explained the role of test engineer at Power Gems. “The right candidate must be intrigued by the product development process and want to be part of it, particularly as Power Gems release new and complex products on a regular basis. The test engineer not only ensures the safety and functionality of the products but acts as the end-user and gets to use cutting-edge technology before anyone else does.”
After a lengthy recruitment process, searching for a candidate with an engineering background, who enjoys working with people, Phil admitted, “we were starting to lose heart.”
“We’re encouraged that, through Wigan & Leigh College and University Centre we can secure a talent pipeline and welcome more enterprising engineers to Power Gems. We look forward to fostering greater collaboration.”
Theremins
Daniel is a keen golfer and plays the guitar. His final year project at university was to develop a Theremin, possibly the strangest musical instrument ever invented.
Fancy having a go yourself? How a Theremin works
Only 485 units of the original instrument were ever sold. At Power Gems, Daniel is working on units with a much bigger annual production, such as the LF150P module, which hit the 20,000 milestone in 2018. As well as the latest additions Power Gems has made to the LED power and control range.
This hire is the latest in the expansion of the product test facilities. The space in Manchester HQ is now bigger and better able to provide after-sales support and faster repair turnaround times.
Need help? Daniel and the team will get your Power Gems product back working exactly as it should – get in touch
