Sponsorship 

REACT has given a local student the opportunity of a lifetime after pledging to pay his way through university. Stephen Brown will embark on a four-year Mechanical Engineering degree at Newcastle University – paid for by REACT Engineering. All of his costs will be covered by the firm to a total of £12,000 a year. The unique Workplace Bursary has become the first of its kind in Cumbria and has been designed to help the 19-year-old in every aspect of university life from paying for fees to living costs. It will mean Stephen will have no debt once he finishes his course. Stephen will work at REACT during each summer break on engineering-related projects and support work. He will also have a guaranteed job with the company after university. We have pledged to do the same for one lucky teenager every year from now on, intending to support 4 students through university at any one time – at a cost of up to £50,000. “Having an opportunity like this from REACT is unbelievable.” Stephen said. “Not only will I be supported right through university, but I will also have a guaranteed job at the end of it. That’s something that not many graduates have now-a-days. Stephen has taken part in REACT’s Into Engineering Week while at sixth form and, after deferring his place at university, worked at the company for 12 months under the Year in Industry Scheme. REACT Engineering director Pete Woolaghan said: “We pride ourselves here in finding the brightest young talent and with that we want to support students like Stephen. Having the best working with us means we can continue to do great things. “We lead the way here at REACT when it comes to doing things first and there isn’t another company doing anything like this in Cumbria. There isn’t a more relevant time to launch a scheme like this when university fees are hitting an all time high.