Student Design Engineer - Powertrain Review

It has been a fantastic experience, and one which I definitely hope to continue once I have completed university. I have been able to work on a vast range of projects across a number of different bikes in various disciplines, utilising a large proportion of the knowledge I have gained through my University Course. As far as I am concerned, this is the company to work for!

From the moment I arrived on my first day I felt as important as any other member of staff. Through the range and quantity of work that has been reliant on my performance, I can be confident I have made a large contribution to the successes of the company during my time here.

I would have liked to have a few more meetings throughout the year to review my workload with my manager to ensure all tasks were in line with their respective targets, rather than impromptu meetings when problems were encountered, but through the input of my immediate supervisor and my colleagues they were easily overcome.

I found I was never without tasks to complete, and there were always a large number of remedial tasks I could take up during the less-busy periods of my placement (which did not occur often). However, the busier I was the more confident I felt in my own ability and the more enjoyable the placement became, as I was able to put all of my relevant knowledge to the test.

I believed when joining the company there was a significant risk of the placement being like all others - where the student is treated as the 'tea boy'. However, as mentioned before, I was proved drastically wrong as I quickly became as important as those working around me, completing tasks of similar importance and intensity even while completing initial training!

From the start all placement students were enrolled in a number of training courses, with predominantly CAD classes. The CAD training was second to none, completed by a contractor well versed with the systems and processes adopted by Triumph. I have become increasingly confident in a variety of software, with a greater knowledge of the power of Computer Aided Design.

Depending on your team, atmospheres vary from quiet and concentrated to banterous laughter! However, regardless of your team those employed here make sure the experience is a happy one, and you will never forget the time spent here!

All aspects of the placement were covered, including putting us up in hotels to allow time to sort accommodation, getting us all in groups for training, organising meetings with a variety of staff so we became more aware of the inner workings of the company, and much more. I could not fault the effort Triumph put into the induction process.

A vast amount of time and money was spent on all students commencing placement at the company. From contracted CAD training to week-long inductions into areas of the company we would never see, simply so we had an understanding of the whole process of designing and building a bike! With the option of sponsorship to return after University, Triumph Motorcycles is a fantastic place to invest a year of your University Course.

Regardless of whether sponsorship is offered to me (which is a brilliant option), I will be applying to return to the company as it is constantly expanding, and will be a superb place to work in the long term. Various financial benefits are available as a replacement for sponsorship i.e. signing on bonuses and car/bike schemes.

Depending on where you live and who with will dictate the social goings-on that take place. However, at the start of the placement you are put up in a hotel with the rest of the students, giving you plenty of opportunity to get to know people, sort out housing and generally have a laugh with people your own age who have similar interests.

The area was extremely cheap, but there is an option to move around as the travel links are fantastic. There are not many options for places to go or things to do if you choose to live close to the factory, unless you are happy forking out for trains/taxis to the surrounding cities. However, live closer to Leicester or Coventry and the options are endless!

Hinckley and Nuneaton are areas famous for having absolutely nothing in them except a couple of cinemas (one each...). Ideally to observe any sort of social entertainment one is required to live near one of the nearby University cities (Coventry or Leicester) which have fantastic nightlife. However, they are not far and a short commute will be sacrificed in order to take advantage of these.

Events tended to be organised by staff, with a couple of festive events sorted by the company. However, there is always interest from fellow colleagues to take part in activities, so you can simply book one and invite people - you won't be short of requests to take part, be it karting, airsofting or anything inbetween!