Power Market Analyst Review

Overall the placement year has been very enjoyable due to the number of diverse tasks and opportunities throughout. I especially enjoyed the team work involved in delivering a project from inception all the way through the final product. There is a real sense at Centrica that everyone is trying to achieve the same goal with team work being a driving force.

I have received direct feedback from senior staff including the Managing Director praising the work I have completed and its influence on business decisions and general business awareness. Overall I have regularly received positive feedback from a number of deferent employees that outline the importance of my work, which is very self gratifying.

Due to the business going through a period of change, there hasn't been as much guidance as I would have like, subsequently there have been a number of occasions where I have had to use my own initiative to figure out a problem or task. In a way this allowed for self independence and faster personal development, however I still feel more guidance is necessary, especially with employees who are completely new to the industry and general working environment.

Throughout the placement I have always felt there were actions to be followed up with and rarely was there a situation where I had little or no work to complete. As with all businesses, you have periods where work load is higher and in turn working outside office hours is necessary in order to complete tasks. Additionally the opposite is true when work load is lower. Overall I feel the work has been very manageable and staff are very considerate with deadlines.

One of my main tasks involved supporting the deal team with the transaction of a large renewable asset. From project managing a number of different work streams to client communication, I felt the responsibility was more than usually expected from a year in industry employee. However, I thrived under the added responsibility and subsequent pressure. Overall I feel Centrica is a great workplace to take on as much responsibility you are comfortable with and the fact you have the option to take on more or less is a great thing.

Much of the skills gained/developed was through on the job opposed to formal training, however I still feel there will be a great benefit to my future studies. Soft skills like communication will be key in group exercises, additionally time management skills will allow myself to be more regiment and efficient with work load. I also feel the technical skills such as excel have improved greatly over the past year and this will have a direct impact on the work I will undertake in my final year at university.

In general the atmosphere has been very positive considering the business reorganisation and a number of staff being made redundant. As the business division moves into a new environment there was firstly a level of confusion and lack of clarity, however I feel that has now been replaced with a general sense of optimism and exciting as the business explores new growth areas.

This is an area that could in my opinion be improved. I felt there was a lack clarity regarding who to contact with personal issues and that there is a greater focus on the graduate scheme compared to year in industry employees.

Much of my training and development was through working on the job opposed to formal training. There have been opportunities to go on site visits or training courses, however this is more focused graduate program.

Overall I feel that the company invests a great deal in young talent, especially through its graduate program and that there is a system in place for rotation within the organisation.

There are a number of post work events that allow for a very good social scene between colleagues for example 5 aside football and fitness classes.

Windsor is very expensive, however the canteen is subsidised with has help greatly with costings.

Number of different bars and pubs but very expensive!!!

Yes, mostly sports based (football, mma, fitness sessions).