I am currently on the FH graduates scheme working my way through two years worth of training all aiming towards chartership with IMechE. My first placement is in the new factory in Chennai, India. Here I am assisting in the general set up if the facility as well as implementing all procedures regarding ISO compliancy.

Whilst at HDS my role was primarily as a Cost and Pricing Engineer working on reviewing and bidding of tenders/bids using the software, Max, to produce bills of materials for accurate costing. I was also assigned as assistant Project Co-ordinator on several larger projects which involved holding regular meetings with project teams to ensure progression of each project. Throughout the placement an ongoing graduate group project involved myself and two other graduates working on the redesign of an InArm ® suspension unit with aim of a 60% cost reduction. I provided design scheme input as well as being in charge of cost tracking and cost reduction through suppliers. I also redesigned the company brochure to replace the existing outdated one.

During a work placement at Grontmij I improved on valuable skills needed to work within in a team. As part of the Highways team within the company, I carried out design, administrative and management tasks. I worked on Standard and non-standard designs including Arecleoch Wind Farm and A1 Dishforth to Barton Improvement Scheme as well as smaller traffic based projects for Birmingham City Council.

Worked at a new Reservoir in Eltham, London. Began with shadowing a setting out engineer and progressed to taking charge of keeping test records for concrete ` pours as well as sound, seismic and compaction testing.

April 2007: Participated in two jobs during this time – Flood Alleviation Schemes in Great Bookham and also repairs to a Pumping Station in Erith. Dec 2006 – Jan 2007: Worked on the planning of two Flood Alleviation Schemes in Great Bookham. This involved the preparation of the schemes Health and Safety files, carrying out of risk assessments and preparation of site inductions. Sept 2006: Based in London I worked on a road bridge repair over a railway in East London as Site Managers Assistant. Gained experience from visits to sites implementing first time waste drainage in Romney and sewage treatment works in Kent. I carried out topographical level surveys of a road bridge. I witnessed insitu casting of a bridge deck, also made cubes and performed concrete slump tests. I observed steel fixing, formwork, sand carpeting and deck waterproofing being laid.