THERE is an angel watching young students with a talent for graphic design.

Actually it is a firm called Electric Angel Design, a collection of three independent designers working out of a studio in Museum Terrace, Scarborough.

One of them is Adrian Riley who never forgot the thrill of his own work experience when he was 14, learning how to hand-letter with a brush. He also recalls winning a design competition in a local paper at 15 and his work placement at art collage at 17.

“So it is perfectly natural that when we were in a position to help others in this way, we would,” said Adrian.

That attitude has meant that Electric Angel Design is a serious contender for the Best Employer and Education Link title in The Press Business Awards 2010. And Adrian is also a contender for the Business Personality Of The Year.

Inn that office is always a spare desk – ready for any student who feel they can benefit from the experience.

Adrian said: “There is no making the tea nonsense. We engage them on real jobs so they can quickly learn what real work is like.

“If their work makes the grade it gets used – and we pay them, but shhh – don’t tell anyone. There is no greater excitement than for a student to have their work used professionally.”

Once they had a policy of accepting only those studying graphic design at higher or further education, but that was dropped when they came into contact with the impressive attitude and ability of some school pupils.

It has meant that for eight of the past 20 weeks, there has been a student in the office. “This places high demand on such an small team, especially when deadlines are looming, but we think it’s worth it.”

It was so worth it that Electric Angel Design proposed and part-funded Creative Coast, a creative network that would welcome students to work with them.

It organises free monthly events to both professionals and students, offers free development sessions, enables tutors to keep in touch with prospective employers, and encourages collaboration offering opportunities to students and start-ups to get involved.

Meanwhile, Adrian has been asked to become a “business champion” for the Schools Creative and Media Diploma.