The number of candidates was narrowed down from the initial 100 MCA students who applied for the project to 18 finalists. These students were put through a rigorous selection process incorporating interviews and group tasks that were designed to gauge their business acumen. Eventually, the eight candidates were selected for the program, which will begin in January 2014.

The aim of the partnership is not only to develop eight talented individuals from the local area, but also lead to future career opportunities within the company, focusing on new technologies.

John Falder, Managing Director of HMG Paints and Vice President of the British Coatings Federation (BCF), is particularly excited about what the future holds. “HMG Paints has a long history of developing its staff and also supporting our local schools and universities. This project is in keeping with the BCF’s training objectives as well as potentially unearthing a number of prodigiously entrepreneurial students for a future career at HMG and within the coatings industry, ” he said.

The partnership is a result of a long-term relationship between the academy and HMG Paints. In October, HMG supplied the school with 100 liters of colored decorative emulsion paint for the Harpurhey and North Manchester Handmade Film Festival. Academy staff and students used the paint to create a colorful Manchester street scene.