Italian student Cristian finds life on Teesside sweet

Cristian Mitta Lindo left the Italian Lakes for a new life on Teesside and couldn’t be happier after landing an Apprenticeship.

The 20-year-old decided to move to England a year ago in order to finish his education and search for a job in computers.

He signed up for the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Information Technology at Redcar & Cleveland College, and then completed the Pre Apprenticeship Programm, which involved 5 weeks of interactive workshops, followed by another 5 weeks of work experience. His aim was to one day become an apprentice to get his career off the ground.

And, just a few months down the line, Cristian’s dream has come true as he works as an apprentice computer analyst at FOK Marketing on the Wilton site.

“In Italy at the moment, it’s not easy to find a job, so I decided to come to Redcar to stay with my relatives to finish my education and look for a job,” said Cristian.

“The colleges are good here and there are more job opportunities, so it seemed like the right thing to do. It has worked out great, so I think I made the right decision.

“While I was at college, my tutors told me about an Apprenticeship opportunity at FOK Marketing. I had an interview and it has gone from there. I’m really enjoying it and have already learned so much.

“I do miss Italy, but I have no plans to go back soon. I hope to be made permanent once my Apprenticeship finishes and just see what happens. The opportunities are great.”

Cristian is using his computer knowledge in his role at FOK Marketing, which specialises in search engine optimisation.

He works at the company four days a week and spends one day at Redcar & Cleveland College, where he is studying Level 3 in Motion Graphics and Composting Video.

He said he wanted to go down the Apprenticeship route, rather than university, so he could get his foot in the door with an employer and earn while he learned.

Managing director Mark Flanighan said: “I’m honestly delighted with the way Cristian has blended into FOK Marketing. It’s a small company, so it was imperative that he fit straight in and it couldn’t have gone any better.

“He’s a big fish in a small pond. In some areas he actually has greater knowledge than me, but I am teaching him how to apply that knowledge to benefit our business. In two months he is already designing software programmes. He does a lot of the work I do.

“I think Apprenticeships are a great thing, provided you have the right person. Cristian is great because he wants the experience and the knowledge. He works under his own steam and genuinely wants to learn. We definitely hope to keep him on.”

IT tutor Sam Beel, of Redcar & Cleveland College, said it was great to see Cristian settled.

He added: “We’re delighted that Cristian is getting on so well at FOK Marketing. He is an excellent student and has a great attitude, so we knew that an employer would be very lucky to have him.

“He’s a great example of a young man knowing what he wants and going out to get it. We wish him well.”