Careers

Joseph Matu

I’ve always been interested in defence – in my younger days I was a Cadet – so when the chance arose to join the Babcock graduate training scheme in Leicester, I immediately thought it would be an interesting place to work. Here I have had the opportunity to work in the Airports, Defence and Nuclear divisions of the company.

I wasn’t sure what to expect, because I hadn’t worked in an engineering department before. Mostly it’s about learning on the job – moving around departments and building up your engineering experience. You have to be adaptable to different situations, but the experience you gain in one placement can definitely be an advantage in the next.

The scheme lasts two years and incorporates a number of three-month placements. I’ve spent time on projects for three Babcock divisions here – Airports, Defence and BNS Nuclear. I’m now going to be in Airports for a settled period, building on experience which so far has covered the entire project process, from concept and detail design through to site visits (including Heathrow), customer / supplier interaction and final installation. Being involved throughout the full lifecycle of a project helps you quickly to develop your all-round management skills.

The scheme is a good foundation for working towards IMechE chartered engineer status – I’ve been able to broaden my knowledge of working in an engineering environment, while developing the skills I already have. Obviously, the actual experience varies considerably between different locations, but with three Babcock divisions being based at Whetstone, you quickly pick up on the differences in the way they work,

The scheme’s going well for me – I’ve been given some additional tasks, so I’m getting a taste of individual responsibility alongside all the teamwork. As a graduate trainee, you get a lot of support from other engineers, even if they’re not involved in your project. Everyone works together, and no one’s ever too busy to help.

I think the best thing about the scheme has to be the breadth of experience it offers – I’ve been through everything from manufacturing to installation and testing. One thing I’ve learned is that I’m not cut out for the commercial side, but I appreciate that knowing how it operates is an advantage worth having.

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