Industrial Placement Student, UK Construction Review

Although it was a slightly slow start to the year I soon realised this was because the work is seasonal - busier in the summer period and quieter over winter. I was given a number of tasks to do and had opportunities to see plenty of different things - a really broad experience.

I was given considerable reponsibility at times and trusted to carry out tasks that were asked of me. At the same time the team were always there to help, and my line manager was brilliant, both as a friend and colleague and boss to whom to answer to.

Directly from my line manager, he was there at all times for anything that I needed. So 100% there. However, as a company, the management especially from HR etc was at times very poor. It didn't really affect my placement as my line manager helped sort out any problems, but in many cases things seemed alot more difficult than they needed to be, for simple things such as payroll, expenses, and once I had been assessed...sorting out my contract and bursary payment for sponsorship.

There were some days where I had not much to do at all - in which case you can find information to fill in knowledge gaps. You are told to expect this from time to time when you get a placement through a company such as YINI, and although it sounds stupid it does actually pay dividends later, and it does pass any quiet times. Also it really does go down well if you ask for something else to do! A colleague will often need something simple doing that you can take off their workload...and they won't forget it! On other days I might have a long list of things to do and be practically run off my feet - but at which point you can ask for help, explain why you may have to put something off til tomorrow, and just do what you can. I was never made to feel too stressed as it's not worth it! So long as you show that you have worked hard and not just given up, it will be understood.

I was given various tasks that proved to be very important to a project - each one would rely on a large number of people pulling together from different departments and places in order to be successful. For example, i might be asked to control a delivery of materials - mark up the items, store them in the correct place and later retrieve them for delivery to a project for use.

The most obvious, immediate example is that one of my university course modules this year is 'industry and profession'. The syllabus and work we have done so far match up perfectly to alot of what I have been doing for the past year on my placement! So in that sense, you could argue my placement has essentially given me the knowledge and experience to in theory at least pass this module with flying colours! I cannot thank my team and manager enough in this case because my fellow students are very jealous of my experience!

Everyone in my office (admittedly small - only 5 or 6 people) got on really well and we always found time for a general chat and a laugh, of course whilst also doing work! We also knew people from other teams and departments well so found a similar situation with them, between offices. Apart form the odd time where there were necessary serious meetings, or stressful times where things weren't quite working out as planned, there was always a really good atmosphere in the building.

In terms of my team - agian extremely well. They had stuff for me to do and take part in for the majority of the time. However at company level it was not quite so good, for a big multi-national company such as grid to have problems with payroll, expenses, even knowing which offices I was in, was a bit poor. Not helped by the fact the helpdesk was in India! But i suppose that goes with the times really! In all, my team certainly did a great job keeping me busy with interesting tasks, and all problems were sorted out in the end, so i definitely wouldn't compain.

Every placemnet student had a four day course all about personal development, which was useful and somewhere I learned a few things, so definitely worthwhile. In addition I attended several smaller courses for team-related training - for example I went on a course to get an EUSR card - allowing me to go onto gas sites without needing a 'chaperone'!

The company have decided to sponsor me through university - it is not a full sponsorship but definitely helps towards the cost! As part of this once I graduate, I have an invite to an assessment centre for the graduate scheme. I wouldn't like to speculate but the chances are I should be offered a place after the level of investment they have put into me! (Nobody gives you money for nothing...) As a large multinational company moving forwards, it does appeal to me to work for them, especially having had a good experience on a year's placement.

Most of the other placement students were based at the head office - so their 'social scene' was alot better than mine - they went out together at weekends and traveeled to work together alot. However I was also invited to many good events they organised and we had several opportunities within the year with company-organised events to meet up nad socialise. On top of this, several of us sent regualr emails etc to each other to keep up with waht was going on for each of us.

I was personally in Birmingham City Centre! So quite expensive, but not unaffordable.

Again, well - Birmingham City Centre. The nightlife's not too bad! Plenty of places to go whatever your taste, and always plenty of people around.

As a company, National Grid are trying to put themselves out there and show that they act in the community. So there were multiple opportunities to volunteer for charity events, environmental clean ups, and talks in schools etc.