UNIVERSITY of Worcester graduate Emily Bratt has been offered a new role with local Malvern technology start-up business DronePrep.
Emily earned a first class degree in geography and has been hired by the firm based on the Malvern Hills Science Park.
DronePrep offers technology and consultancy services to allow drone pilots to search for landowners to find places to fly responsibly.
Despite needing Emily’s skills, the DronePrep team could not afford to employ her full-time until they discovered Worcestershire County Council’s Here2Help Graduate Development grant.
The company was awarded £10,000 which has resulted in Emily being offered a full-time position that involves working on several projects for NHS medical drone delivery trials throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
Claire Owen, co-founder of DronePrep, said: “We knew Emily would be a valuable asset to our company but as a very early stage start-up we wouldn’t have been able to offer her full-time employment without the support from Worcestershire County Council.
“Emily is a perfect fit for our company, and we are incredibly grateful for the timing of the grant.”
DronePrep is currently involved in numerous ground-breaking projects that will involve working with some of the leading industry specialists in a fast-growing sector.
The Graduate Development grant is one of many initiatives run up by Worcestershire County Council’s Here2Help Business Programme.
Set up in response to the pandemic to improve business productivity and increase local employment opportunities, the grant covers 50 per cent of the graduate’s salary costs for a one-year period, up to a maximum of £10,000 with the remaining 50 per cent to be provided by the SME.
Coun Ken Pollock, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member with Responsibility for the Economy and Infrastructure, said: “DronePrep is a great example of how we can support local businesses to help create jobs even during this difficult period.”
He urged other firms looking to hire a graduate to consider the Here2Help Graduate Development grant which had enabled numerous businesses across the county to create brand new opportunities for talented young individuals.
