Engineering Change & Scheduling Coordinator Review

The placement has been really enjoyable. It has been a very busy year with plenty of responsibility which has meant that each day has been challenging which was important for me in my placement year.

Working for Vauxhall at this placement year has really shown me the importance of teamwork, and this is partly due to a team around me that were both approachable and more than willing to help me throughout the year. Having a team that are always willing to explain things in more detail was important for me to get the most out of the year and the team this year at Vauxhall have really done that.

As I said in the previous question, I was given support throughout the year for whenever I needed it, alongside giving me the independence to learn for myself. Having this combination of support and independence has been a huge contributor to my development because without the support I wouldnt have gained the depth of understanding needed to take what I've learnt forward into my final year and future career.

Due to my placement being timed with the introduction of the new vehicle (VIVARO) in August, my first 6 months were non-stop and there was very little time to reflect on what I've done. Since then I have been busy on a daily basis but with a little time to consider what I have done on this placement which has helped not only improve on a daily basis but also be able to get my reflections down on paper for my University work needed for my placement year.

I have been given a real job to do for my placement year, and this therefore comes with plenty of responsibility. More importantly, although I am in charge solely of particular tasks, my supervisor was, throughout the year, there to answer any questions, or assist in any issues I had which was important when the issue required someone with more experience than just a placement year. I would say this placement year has had the ideal amount of responsibility to gain confidence in the job role but also the space and time to learn about other areas of Supply Chain.

The placement will undoubtedly assist me in achieving higher marks in my final year and having a more effective working pattern for final year and in my future career. I believe the placement year is essential nowadays to combine the academic and qualifications from University with a year out in industry, because I think you can lose sight of what the academic knowledge actually means and just see them as 'another module' that you just forget when you receive your marks. The placement year helps to test the knowledge you have learnt at University and gain skills such as organisation and communication skills.

The atmosphere in the office is fun and friendly, a great group of people to get to know.

The placement was well set up. The beginning of the placement consists of a handover period where the previous undergraduate has time to train the new undergraduate for the year. This two weeks also offers a chance to get to know the other undergraduates and also have presentations from the company Directors of each department, which I thought was an excellent part of the placement. Training days were arranged throughout the year which were well done. As I work in the manufacturing facility at Vauxhall with my job role I did however feel that undergraduates at the plant were very much apart from others at head office in terms of training and opportunities and this is an area that I think they could improve in future years.

I had training in excel and a GM wide problem solving technique called 'RedX'. The training has been useful for my development and skills I can take forward into the future.

As there isn't a dedicated graduate scheme at Vauxhall there are very few chances to get a job in the future. I have really enjoyed my placement year at Vauxhall and would like the chance to apply for future employment, although I believe this is very unlikely.

At the plant we have a weekly football match between colleagues which was really good. Also there are plenty of other social events throughout the year with the other undergraduates and with your housemates

Very cheap in Luton! Housing was far cheaper than in Bristol at University.

If you like going out Luton and surrounding area is great. Other than there is little to do.

There was a weekly football match between colleagues other than that at the plant weren't made aware of anyother opportunities. There are also charity events that are available which is a great initiative. However, I believe people at head office were offered activities such as rowing and golf clubs but I wasn't made aware of this before deadline.