Industrial Trainee Review

Really enjoyable. I have a great team to work with, all the support I need but still have the freedom to choose what I work on and the areas I want to develop.

I feel incredibly valued in my team and the office as a whole. Unlike other placements I have undertaken, there isn't a hierarchy in the office, I feel like I could approach anyone about anything and I will be treated properly and with respect. People in the office (including the office manager) have made a conscious effort to make me feel welcome and get me involved in work activities.

I am given all the support I need. I feel as if I could ask anyone for help on something I don't understand and I will get the support I need without any issues. I also have a mentor within the company as well as a Designated engineers to support me with my career development and IPD. We also have weekly team meetings where we can bring any issues up as well as quarterly and annual assessments with our line managers.

This varies as my work is dependant on the projects I am working on. Some days I may be incredibly busy and working flat out, others will be more open. That being said, the work load isn't too great or stressful. I always take a full hour for lunch and usually go for a walk with my colleagues. I do always have work, even if it is only small tasks. Also, I don't get palmed off with meaningless jobs to fill my time, I am always contributing to the job and team.

Early on it isn't too much, as I am very new to the job and I'm inexperienced. However, that doesn't mean I am spoon fed, I do have plenty of responsibility in my work and there is also frame work in my personal development to increase my responsibility within my role.

Massively. Particularly my IPD and personal development as when I return to uni I will have completed all of the ICE attributes to the knowledge level, furthering my development towards chartership. Also the skills I will learn from working in the real world enviromnment will be massively beneftial when I return to uni and apply them to the course material. Furthermore, the more pastoral skills like teamwork and management abilities will only make me more enployable once I leave uni.

Very easy going and relaxed. There isn't a hierarchy of any kind, it feels as if everyone is equal. Its super friendly and integrated, with lots of work socials and events for anyone in the office. Its very modern and clean with all the facilities you would want. Its just a very nice environment to work in.

Pretty well. I didn't go through the usual channels for my placement as the company sponsor me through my degree. Therefore I had worked for them over the summer before so the transition was pretty seamless. I also didn't have to go through any interview stages, I chose to work in the office I work in so it was pretty well organised. The structure of the placement is very good as my tea have a industrial placement running every year.

For me in particular they massively invest in me. As they sponsor me they put time and money into my development throughout my degree. I have also been added on the ICE IPD training scheme so I am already on the road to becoming chartered. However, they put a lot of time and effort into developing all employees with mentoring schemes, the graduate academy etc.

They're really good. Again as they sponsor me I am expected to work for them once I graduate. Even if I wasn't I would opt to work for them if the opportunity arose as the work environment and opportunities that come with the company are a massive plus. It is pretty common that the company offer jobs to placement students as they have invested time and effort in developing them and they know they person fits in well with the company ethos.

Yeah. The team are very sociable and so is the rest of the office. There are organised work socials and spontaneous work drinks as well. The office is in general quite young and everyone tries to get everyone involved when something is happening. Someone is always up for doing something.

Cost of living in Bristol is very high compared to other places. I am paying a lot more to live and socialise in Bristol than I was in Cardiff (where I went to uni). Due to this I don't see much of my salary after rent and bills have left my account.

I work in the centre of Bristol so the nighlife is brilliant. There are so many things to do. As it is a student/ university city there is always something to do no matter when and where you are. Because of this the work socials tend to be really fun and at a different place every time.

Plenty. There are loads of sports teams and activities at lunch or after work, run by member of the office. There are plenty of work socials organised too. There are regular opportunities to go to event like Bristol Rugby games or brewery tours to local breweries. Its great fun to work here.