Operations Management Review

I enjoyed my placement as had the opportunity to try tasks and learn how engineering work in industry. I had many projects throughout the year which allowed me to widen my knowledge in engineering and in other areas. My placement taught me that university gives you the skills but a placement allows you to practice real world applications.

I felt valued by my colleagues and felt a real team spirit within my department. Everyone in the plant is friendly and approacable. Work should be fun and within the plant we work hard but all have a laugh and joke. My score would be if higher management recognised student importance more.

Support and guidance were always available from my manager, departments and even other departments. Although I tried to work around problems myself I knew help was there when I needed it. My manager and I regularly had review meetings for Faurecia and my university and set regular targets to make me more autonomous and accountable.

I was mainly always busy. The ethos at Faurecia and pushed in my department (production) is continuous improvements and standardized work. Meaning even if I wasn't working on a project given by my manager I always had the chance to look at a process, tool or layout etc. and find and make improvements.

After a few months of getting to know how to company and plant operates I was given projects with a deadline and the rest was up to me. I was allowed to design, order parts, make decision etc as long as they were in line with general practice within the plant.

In my time at Faurecia I have gained a vast amount of experience and improve my skillet drastically. I have gained skills for life and these have made me more professional and I cant imagine going into 3rd year of uni or onto a graduate job without my current knowledge.

The atmosphere in our office was great we always had a laugh and joke, the operators included. The team supported each other and resolved any issues withing in the production process quickly. I much prefer this type of office than the silent office where you are scared to make a noise.

The placement could of been better organised as we are currently only visiting the customer we supply at the end of out placement. Also when I started I didn't have access to the various systems we use to do our job. However, uniform was ready for our arrival when we started.

I didn't receive any external training however they invested some time in me to train me to do my job.

As long as you perform during your placement and your manager recommends you you are likely to get a placement. Faurecia prefer to recruit internally.

Yes, we played football weekly and had lunch together etc. I think if we were in a better town with more to do we would of went out and socialized more. However for the world cup we went out and watched a few of the games. Student social scene is good.

Rent for a shared house with double en-suit room was £550/month although it was new when i moved in. Everything else related to cost of living is fairly normal. Socializing wise, Oxford is close, there's plenty to do. Oxford has many restaurants, bars, clubs great student city, cycling city as well.

Not much here, small town has a 2 clubs, many pubs and 2 major restaurants. Does have a shopping center though.

Yes, we played football weekly and there were many occasions where I represent Faurecia at engineering/logistic fairs. Bringing back potential improvement ideas.