Education Today Education Today Magazine
In a bid to both help develop key business processes and support the career growth of students in the local area, York-based supplies distributor, PPS, has unveiled a one-of-a-kind, new, AI-led summer internship programme in partnership with York University.
The unique internship, which officially began earlier in July, has seen two students join the PPS team to work directly alongside the Managing Director, Joseph Fitzpatrick. It aims to help the firm unlock the value hidden in its data by conducting statistical analysis to support PPS’ wider operations and commercial decision-making.
The pair, Will Hall, a Computer Science MEng student and Cyril Ivanov, who is studying a BSc in Computer Science with AI, have been specially selected for the internship, as each has course-specific specialisms and expertise around data analysis and the use of Artificial Intelligence.
During their time with PPS, the duo will be exploring how AI and machine learning can be applied to optimise key business processes, and will be investigating where predictive models, pattern recognition and intelligent automation could make a positive impact on the company’s operations.
In addition to the business-led objectives of this programme, as a family-owned and operated business with strong ties to the region and a longstanding reputation for professional development within its team, PPS has also made clear its desire to support the vocational aspirations of the next generation.
Freya Sapcote, PPS’ HR Specialist, who is leading the programme, highlighted the already-positive impact it is having: “It might be our first time doing this but we’re approaching this internship programme with the same professionalism we’d take with any of our other roles. No tea-rounds here, both Will and Cyril are working on serious real problems in our business, directly alongside our Senior Leadership Team.
“We’ve all been very impressed by the impact they’ve made in just a few weeks – including statistically debunking a long-standing theory on our delivery data as well as creating an AI solution to our customer service inbox sorting.
“They’ve also brought a new dynamic to the office, which is a positive we hadn’t predicted. Our team is enjoying being able to give advice and development on how to succeed in the workplace.”
