Daniel Danso

Name: Daniel Danso
Age: 35
Born: Koforidua, Ghana
Lived in Scotland: Since August 2002

Daniel became interested in coming to Scotland after hearing his brother-in-law enthusing about the country when he studied here at Strathclyde University.

At the time, Daniel was working as an engineer with a chipboard manufacturing company in Ghana. He applied to Stow College in Glasgow studied for an HNC in mechanical and electrical engineering. He followed that up with an HND in the same subject – graduating in 2004.

It was just before Daniel was finished at Stow College that he noticed the name Rearo Laminates Limited on the door of a newly refurbished toilet. He realised that this company worked in the same field as the firm who had employed him in Ghana and decided to visit Rearo’s factory in Govan in search of a job.

Daniel impressed Rearo’s managing director with his knowledge and enthusiasm and within a few weeks he was offered a job as an engineer on a part-time basis.

This dovetailed perfectly with Daniel’s next academic venture at Paisley University where he achieved a BSc in Total Quality Management.

Following his graduation from Paisley University, Daniel was offered a full-time post at Rearo Laminates and applied to stay on in Scotland under the Fresh Talent Scheme which was granted in October 2006. Since then his role as an engineer at the Govan plant has been increased to include responsibility for Health and Safety.

Daniel was joined in Scotland in 2003 by his wife, Ivy. Having worked as a fully qualified nurse in Ghana, Ivy is currently a support worker with the charity Sense Scotland.

The couple, who live in the Royston area of Glasgow, love the Scottish way of life. Daniel says: "It is a wonderful environment in which to study. There are excellent libraries in which to carry out research as well as lovely parks and good recreation facilities. The weather here may be colder than in Ghana, but the people make up for it with their warmth and friendliness."

He went on: "It was a lucky break that I got in touch with Rearo after noticing their name on a toilet cubicle. It turned out they had supplied materials for a recent refurbishment at Stow College. In Ghana I had worked with a company that carried out the whole process of turning timber into pulp and then manufacturing laminate materials. This background meant I felt immediately at home at Rearo.

"The Fresh Talent scheme is an excellent idea that allows people like me to come to Scotland and put something back into the economy of the country. As an employer, Rearo has given me great support and I have made many friends among my workmates."

Rearo’s managing director, Graham Mercer, said: "Daniel is a skilled engineer with an innovative mind. He has fitted in very well and has already made a real difference to our business through making changes to some machinery to substantially reduce the number of breakdowns."

Related Links

• Rearo Laminates