Bodyshop maintenance coordinator Review

PLEASE NOTE: This review was for a placement at General Motors prior to the amalgamation of Vauxhall and General Motors (The RateMyPlacement Team) The undergraduate I replaced told me that I would learn more than I could imagine. He was right so I have been telling my replacement the same thing.

I have worked closely with a range of people so can happily share a joke with them and often talk of non-work-related matters. I will definately miss the people I have worked with.

I have had both 6-monthly performance and developement reviews and weekly reviews with my line manager. I also have my own personal mentor assigned to me within the organisation but benefited even more from interaction with the 8 other placement students this year.

I am unsure how to rate this as I feel the busier I am the better the placement is. If I ever feel too busy it is because I haven't managed my time correctly or have taken on too much at once. Not only is there more than enough work waiting for you when you arrive here; but you have every oppertunity to work on anything you are interested in.

I was heavily relied on in all areas of my work. I provided the data for meetings which I ran. I have directly trained existing employees and have applied myself to both working as a production opperator and as a maintenace member at times. Documentation I have produced will be used for years to come.

I feel so much more confident about my capabilities for my return to studying. I am a lot more focused and have high hopes for attaining a graduate position with a company I want to work with. Definately work a year out to gain what I have gained.

People always have a joke around and make you welcome each morning but it was obvious throughout the year that the hard work never stopped either. Colleagues regularly played their own music - especially approaching Christmas!

Excellent and long-established placement scheme meant that everything was already in place. The number of placement students taken on in the local area, and the thought that had gone into the content of the placements; was excellent.

General motors has it's own online university which I have always been free to access and benefit from. Certain courses were suggested to me whilst larger, internal training courses (chosen specifically for my role) where an integral part of my year from the off.

Within the manufacturing facility here in Luton, the future job prospects rely heavily on whether a new van model is to be built from 2013 onwards. Across Europe, General motors has invested heavily in the engineering side of their products resulting in the creation of over 200 engineering jobs that I know of.

With approximately 70 undergraduates taken on per year within the same local area there is a great social scene for those that want it. The highlight definately being during the first and last 2 weeks of the year in the 'handover' periods.

My circumstances have been unusual in that I moved with my partner and supported her financially for the year. This obviously increased my cost of living and I am unsure of how expensive fellow placement students have found there time here.

I personally do not enjoy going out in the evening. Or at least not into the local pubs/bars/clubs. I much prefer the outdoors and nature so I avoided the local nightlife.

Through email, newsletters, websites, and even verbal communication - we were made aware of various activities. From football, wakeboarding, to mountaineering and tree planting for charity.