Graduate schemes provide the perfect opportunity to secure a job for those who show commitment.
With the recession lingering on, the employment prospects for 2009’s graduates have been the subject of much pessimism. At the start of 2009, a report by High Flyers Research found that employers expected to hire almost 3,400 fewer graduates in 2009 than in 2008. Yet for those studying engineering, the future is not nearly as bleak. Challenges such as developing clean energy sources, defence and security commitments (see panel), and maintaining the UK’s position as a developer of world-class new technologies still require fresh talent. As a result, there are plenty of opportunities for young engineers.
The Environment Agency offers six vacancies within its Civil Engineering Graduate Training Scheme and nine vacancies on a Civil Engineering Sponsorship scheme. Candidates applying to the former will need to have achieved a 2:2 or a predicted 2:1 MEng Civil Engineering degree or equivalent, while the MEng degree course must be an accredited course from the Joint Board of Moderators. For the sponsorship scheme, candidates need to be currently studying towards an accredited BEng and be progressing to MEng or an equivalent postgraduate accredited qualification.
‘Candidates need to have researched the organisation in detail and be very clear about their motivations for applying for the Graduate Training Scheme,’ said Melanie Ross, national resourcing specialist — graduates. ‘A well-presented application is vital.’ The training scheme can take between three and four years to complete, depending on experience and qualifications. ‘We place great emphasis on tailoring the training to the needs of the graduate and the Flood and Coastal Erosion Risk management departments,’ added Ross. ‘Graduates receive a range of support during the scheme from the programme manager, supervising and delegated engineers, line manager, training board and HR. Graduates take on a mix of internal assignments during the scheme and will develop skills in asset management, project feasibility, planning, design, project management and site supervision.’
Once graduates have passed their chartered professional review, they will be a flood and coastal risk engineer (CEng) MICE and can apply for a range of roles within the Environment Agency.
Elsewhere, the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority is currently looking for mechanical and electrical engineers. ‘It helps to have a background knowledge about fusion and do your research on us,’ said David Martin, engineering department manager. ‘You must be prepared to be challenged on what you are saying and debate issues, in order to make a good impression. If you have a portfolio of work then you can bring this along and talk about it — not only will it show your knowledge, it will also help to focus the panel’s attention on areas you are comfortable with.’
The Authority’s graduate scheme consists of a two-year period including both generic training and instruction that is geared to the needs and interests of individual candidates. The programme is structured so that it is able to count towards a chartered qualification. Once completed, nearly all trainees stay to work for the organisation, where they have good prospects for promotion. ‘We need to keep recruiting to make sure there is fresh blood in the organisation,’ added Martin. ‘We are currently making the move from being a research to a technology-based site, so extra engineers are required for this expansion.’ He also said that the number of potential vacancies around fusion was set to expand. ‘As well as the EU money coming into the UK for the JET project, EPSRC funding is being used to develop work in support of ITER, which will become a huge sink for clever engineers. Those who complete our graduate programme will have a solid foundation in fusion engineering.’
Unlike schemes in other areas of the economy, the The Defence Engineering and Science Group’s (DESG) Graduate Scheme this year increased its intake of graduate engineering places. It has a particular need for electronic engineers. The DESG comprises a network of engineers and scientists that is part of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and supplies the army, navy and RAF with state-of-the-art equipment. It runs a two-year training programme consisting of three to six-month mentored placements within the MoD and its partners. The trainees learn the entire life cycle of pieces of kit from development to in-service support and disposal. There is also the chance for secondments to the US Department of Defense or NATO trials. The scheme offers a starting salary of £23,427, rising to £27,578 by the end of the second year. It also provides a fast track to becoming a professionally chartered engineer as it is recognised as part of the training for this. Once completed, graduates have access to a huge range of jobs within the DESG, from the aerospace to maritime sectors, and working on anything from weapons to communications.
However, not all companies offer structured, prescriptive training, which may suit those who wish to become involved in real projects with immediate effect. ‘We do not run a set scheme but rather immerse our graduates in the day-to-day running of the company right from the start,’ said Fran Maguire, personnel manager at technology and product development company The Technology Partnership (TTP). ‘We are currently looking for people with engineering skills who have a passion for what they are studying, rather than just simple academic skills. For instance, we will look at things such as their hobbies to see their experience of real life and whether they are motivated. For this reason we are very reactive; we attend recruitment events so we can meet graduates face to face and find out more about them.’
Successful applicants are immediately assigned to current projects. ‘They are mentored while being given hands-on training within multidisciplinary teams,’ added Maguire. ‘Client exposure can occur as early as the first week of working for us. We like to give graduates the opportunity to see what the business is about. We are constantly recruiting and so are constantly looking for new talent — if we find a good candidate, we will also find a role for them.’
Finally, for those still completing their studies, BP is this year offering an internship programme entitled ‘The Ultimate Field Trip’, aimed at first and second-year STEM undergraduates. ‘We want students to see the issues BP faces in the flesh,’ said Emma Hardaker-Jones, head of resourcing, BP. ‘The winners will be immersed in operations and will also gain presentation and teamwork skills.’ The competition opened this month, with a deadline of December for entries. It is open to teams of three students. Shortlisted entries are announced the following January, followed by regional heats and a grand final where up to six academic teams present to an expert panel that will include BP’s North Sea leadership team. Next summer, the winners will complete an internship lasting between six to eight weeks with the BP North Sea team, gaining access to offshore facilities and visiting the Norwegian sector. ‘The challenge of supplying energy around the world in a responsible way is huge,’ said David Eyton, group head of research and technology. ‘The aim of the programme is to introduce the best available talent to BP and our challenges as well as giving graduates an experience that they simply couldn’t get elsewhere.’
With so many schemes still open and some increasing their demand, there is no doubt that despite difficult times, when it comes to securing a job, with the right research and motivation, engineering graduates are among the most well placed.
real lives
Matthew Bennett
23-year-old Matthew on life at EADS Defence & Security
‘After graduating with a BSc in Physics from Warwick University, I was keen to find a position on a well-structured graduate scheme that would provide relevant experience to start me on the path to becoming a successful engineer. EADS Defence & Security (DS) provides all the support required to develop new knowledge and skills, through a series of rotations on different projects, training schemes and workshops. There is also the possibility of undertaking further qualifications if they are seen to be a benefit to yourself and the business — I am about to complete a part-time distance-learning MSc that has been fully supported by the company. In the past two years I have been involved in a number of projects, from rolling out software builds on a deployable communication system at some of the UK’s military bases, to test and verification on a cutting-edge cryptographic device.’
