Quality Placement Student Review

Collect daily data of defects/issues occurred on the production line and share with quality team; prepare presentations of fault data graphs for customer; support quality team with day-to-day tasks; deal with customer investigations by performing quality analysis methods (8D report, Ishikawa/Fishbone); ensure quality standards are met on production line on a daily basis (8 Quality Basics, 5S, Poka Yoke); create work instructions for containments, and other processes.

I have gained lots of Excel skills, particularly with PivotTables and PivotCharts to present faults and highlight relevant issues, as well as Visual Basic understanding to implement and maintain digitised screens on production line for fault data collection. My proactiveness has increased due to working in a busy automotive industry, particularly working during a new project (BMW F6x) and quality analysis skills have been learnt and applied throughout the year for investigations and reporting.

I have been given the responsibility of daily presentation preparation for customers and data collection for team (Top5 meeting), as well as carrying out investigations of customer complaints raised by our second customer, Stellantis. I am also given the responsibility of raising purchase orders for the department, and keeping fault data collection screens on the line running.

My initial support was given by the previous student, who gave me a handover during my first two weeks of placement, and I have been supported over the year by the team to learn and carry out tasks, although that has often come from trial and error.

The general atmosphere is friendly, however gets busy and more stressful when workrate becomes increased, and when external people (customers, suppliers) are present in our plant. The office is more male-dominant, however more females are present on the production line.

I have enjoyed the days when there is something new and interesting to explore (particularly with customer complains, supplier issues) and have enjoyed getting to know the people I have worked with. Things have been less enjoyable when stress had picked up and some days only had more mundane tasks.

Yes

Go in with an open mind and be ready to learn. “You get out what you put in.” Get to know everyone you are working with, however COMMUNICATION IS KEY. If anything is unsure, ASK ASK ASK!!