Meet the Maker: Sam Clark

Our meet the maker series is back and so is our graduate scheme! And this time we’re making our way into the projects team to speak to one of our graduates Sam Clark.

We are thrilled that we are once again on the search for the next generation of Verallia graduates, and what better way to introduce what the experience with Verallia looks like than speaking to one of our current graduates.

So, Sam, tell us a little about yourself.

I have been working for Verallia (formerly Allied Glass) since November 2019, so around two and a half years now. Prior to joining I had just completed a Chemical Engineering degree at the University of Hull and wasn’t entirely sure where I was wanting to go with my career.

I initially started with Verallia on a temporary role within the Technical Team but as I began demonstrating my abilities and knowledge, I was offered the position of Graduate Batch and Furnace Management Trainee. I have progressed a little more since then and now work in the role of Project Engineer.

What does your role at Verallia entail? What does a typical day look like?

It’s a bit of a mix really, one of the best things about my role is that no day is ever the same.

I’ve worked across a range of projects within Verallia and with me having a lot of technical expertise from my degree, I get quite heavily involved with this side of things. I’m a bit of a dab-hand with a spreadsheet if I do say so myself, so I’m often working away on those. But then there’s also a lot of organisation, involving getting contractors in and on site, getting quotes through from projects but that’s done with an entirely collaborative approach within the team.

I love my role because one day I can be at my desk organising new projects and then next I can be getting my hands dirty. I’m still as in awe of working with glass and fire as I was on the day I started here.

 

How do you feel your development within Verallia has been?

The development has just been constant from the get go, I’ve barely stopped since I started with Verallia. I’ve been able to work with some amazing people within the company such as John Naughton who is the Technical Director and Selomit on furnace based projects. So, you really are working in the thick of it from the start, but it’s great for learning and development.

I’ve also been able to do some courses since I started such as:

• Effective Email communication
• IOSH Managing Safely
• Mobile Elevated Working Platform (MEWP) Training, 3A & 3B (scissor lift, cherry picker) – RTITB
• Counterbalance Lift Truck Training – RTITB

Whilst at Verallia I have also completed courses to improve my abilities as an engineer:

• An introduction to sustainability – IChemE
• Ethics for Engineers – IChemE, which I’m still working on currently

What would be your top tips to anyone joining/considering joining onto the Verallia graduate scheme?

At Verallia you will get out as much as you put in. If you want to have a go at something, just say!

It can always feel quite nerve racking when you start a new job, especially coming into an office as busy and bustling as ours, but the whole team are always happy to help and really want to hear from you. Just be interested in everything that’s going on around you and really get stuck into it!

What’s the most exciting project that you’ve worked on?

It has the be the current project on the investments being made at the Leeds site. The scope and size of it is just the largest I’ve ever worked on, and it’s been really exciting to be a part of such a huge move for the business. The project has also allowed me to bring a lot of what I learnt within my degree to the table so that’s great.

Finally, what do you think the future of glass manufacture looks like from the point of view of your role at Verallia?

I think we’re seeing a lot of trends towards the use of renewable technologies. There are people venturing into hydrogen melting and looking at biofuels. The one we’ve specifically been moving towards at Verallia is electrical melting. So essentially, you’re burning no fuels within the melting process, and this is something that is being built in within the Leeds redevelopment.

So definitely, the renewables and green energy side of things is where I see us going.

Sam has been an incredible asset to the Verallia team since he joined the team in 2019. He has progressed in leaps and bounds and is a great testament to the opportunities available to graduates joining Verallia.

 

Edit: Applications for our graduate scheme are now closed.