Industrial Trainee Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my placement at Arup. I was treated like a graduate and given many different responsibilities, working on real life projects. It gave me a great insight into the world of engineering and I have learnt and developed valuable skills for the future. I was very welcomed into my team and felt supported and included.

I felt very valued by my colleagues throughout my placement. I worked with different project teams and I was always treated as a team player. During my placement I made good friends with my colleagues and during work I was always encouraged and offered help if needed. I was given encouraging feedback throughout my placement.

If I ever required help, I felt comfortable asking anyone a question, and they would always be willing to help. As many of the tasks I was doing were new to me, I was given the necessary support, enabling me to learn and advance well. I was regularly checked upon, to ensure my work load was balanced.

Due to the nature of the company, there were always projects to be worked on, so therefore always work to do. I was never overwhelmed with too much work, as colleagues would be willing to help if I needed it. If work ever became slow, I could easily ask for more work from another team.

Right from day one I was treated like a graduate, which I believe is the best approach. I was given real design responsibilities for the projects, making me feel like one of the team. From doing this I feel I learnt a lot more, gained confidence in my own work and am more prepared for future work.

The skills I learnt during my placement will be hugely valuable both with the remainder of my university degree and with future work. For university, I have have gained lots more knowledge in the structures field, which I know will benefit me. For future work, Arup has given me a great insight into real life projects and the work to be done. This has given me the experience of what it is like to be a graduate, so I will be much more prepared in the future.

Arup has a great office working environment. The modern, open plan space, allows for a comfortable working experience. A very sociable office, as we sit in project teams, so talking and communication is key. This means the office never gets boring or slow. There was still a serious work vibe however, to ensure work progressed efficiently.

My placement was very well organised. Upon arrival I was seated within my project team, with my own desk and supplies. I was given all the required inductions and training sessions required to work at Arup. I was given project responsibilities with deadlines that had to be achieved. These are examples of how my placement was organised well, to cater for me undertaking work there.

I had many different training opportunities. I had regular structural based meetings, talks and training to further my knowledge in the field. I also had various other forms of training to expand my knowledge in surrounding fields of engineering. These included software and MEP training. All the training I had has greatly increased my skills and knowledge and I was lucky to have the opportunity to do it at Arup

I would very much like the opportunity to work at Arup in the future. I have seen how the company works and the projects that I could work on; and would definitely want to work there in the future. Employees are treated very well and there are lots of benefits through working at Arup.

Arup hosts many different social and sporting opportunities. I joined the gym and a running club with colleagues, we had team outings, and larger group events, such as a Christmas party. These all bring colleagues closer together and I felt very included and welcomed into Arup; making good friends along the way.

The Arup office I worked in was at Blythe Valley, Shirley. I lived at home during my placement, so am unsure of the cost of living. The cost of socialising in the area is very reasonable. Depending on where you go out, prices can vary, but the immediate local area is very reasonable.

The closest nightlife to where I worked would be central Birmingham. This offers good nightlife, with clubs and bars. I visited a few bars with colleagues.

Outside of work, there are many activities to get involved in. Arup offers many sporting clubs, social events and hobbies you can get involved in to help create a strong work life balance. I joined the Arup gym and a running club to help bond with colleagues and enjoy my placement even more.