Business Undergraduate Review

I thoroughly enjoyed my work placement with AgustaWestland. It was a very rewarding experience and there was a real focus on my personal development during the placement and the people I worked with were really nice. AW also allows you to get involved with a number of other activities during the year and I found these really enjoyable and they also allowed me to experience different things I wouldn't normally have in my usual placement.

I carried out two placements during my placement year and in both of them I was treated like a real member of the team from my first day. Everyone I worked with was really friendly and helpful. I was given real work to do and my opinion counted as much as any other member of the team. My second placement was in a high pressure department which meant the whole team really had to pull together. I was given really important work for the company and worked closely with our customer, this shows how much they valued my input and ability.

The support given by AW was excellent. There is a dedicated training department who manage the entire placement program and all my individual department managers and supervisors were really helpful. There was a real focus on my personal development throughout the placement year with additional opportunities to learn new skills on top of my day to day work. In my first placement I had one on one meetings with my manager every 2 weeks to check on my progress and discuss my tasks and whether I needed any extra support or responsibility. As well as this I was in constant communication with my manager and she would always find time to talk if I had any problems or issues. In my second placement we had weekly team meetings where workload was discussed and we could raise any issues. Again my manager was always available to discuss any issues. In this placement I also had a supervisor who I worked with on a daily basis, he was extremely helpful throughout my placement and taught me a great deal about the company.

The work level for me was perfect. I was kept busy throughout the placement and there was always opportunities to take on extra responsibilities. I was a real member of the team and the work I was doing was important to the company so I had plenty to do. There was a small period on my second placement where I was quiet but I discussed this with my managers and was soon given extra work with another team which not only kept me busy but allowed me to experience a different side of the business.

I was given full responsibility of a number of tasks and there was plenty of opportunity to take on extra responsibility. Straight away in the first 2 weeks I was in charge of a number of projects (with full support when required) which I really enjoyed. This placement really gave me the opportunity to take on as much responsibility as I wanted.

The skills I learned during my year at AgustaWestland have already proved extremely beneficial to me in my final year studies and I know I will be able to use these skills when I graduate and work in industry. The training department at AgustaWestland really work to ensure you get a well rounded set of skills during the placement year.

I had a great time working at AgustaWestland. The two offices I worked in were very different but both very enjoyable. My first placement was in a much quieter office but we still had fun and everyone I worked with was really friendly. My second placement was in an extremely busy office but there was a lot of jokes and funny conversations as well. We were very busy and often under a lot of stress but we had a lot of fun at the same time.

AgustWestland has a really good placement program where you can pick up to 4 different placements during the year. For our first placement we were given a few options of departments that were interested in having an undergraduate. For our later placements we were able to go anywhere in the business as long as there was a requirement. During the year there were also a number of extra activities that AW make available to the undergraduates and these were really beneficial. I think it really helps that AW has a dedicated training department that works with you throughout the year.

I felt like AgustaWestland really focused on my personal training and development throughout my placement. Most of my "training" was on the job but both placements ensured I had varied tasks which allowed me to develop my skills in different areas. I also had formal excel training while I was with the company which has been extremely helpful throughout my work and now studies.

The graduate scheme at AgustaWestland looks extremely good and from talking to graduates currently on the scheme there is even more focus on personal and career development for the graduates. I will definitely be applying and hoping to come back to AW once I graduate.

I was local to the area so commuted and therefore was less involved with the other trainees socially but there is a good social scene for the trainees. AgustaWestland has a student and apprentice association (AWASA) who organise social events in the local area. They are a great group of people and its always a good night out!

I commuted so can't comment on the cost of living but the price of things in the Yeovil area is very reasonable.

The nightlife in Yeovil isn't amazing but there are plenty of pubs and one club which is what you would expect from a town its size. There's the usual things to do such as cinema, bowling, restaurants etc. There's plenty to do and with the amount of people you meet it's a good night out.

AgustaWestland has an Apprentice and Student Association (AWASA), they organise social and charity events in the local area and all trainees are able to attend. I was part of the AWASA committee during my placement year which was not only very beneficial to me in terms of my personal development but was great fun! As well as the charity events and socials, through AWASA I was also able to attend the Bath and West Show to represent the company and travel to Italy to see some of the companies sites there.