Undergraduate engineer Review

The company's employees are very friendly and I thoroughly enjoyed my placement.

Wages are paid for by the training department rather than the the section you are working for. This means that your colleagues can concentrate on providing you with training as they don't need to worry about using you to gain "productive" work: i.e. you don't get treated like cheap labour as your work boss doesn't pay your wages.

You get as much support as you need. So if you're more independent in your problem solving, you are left to work out any problems you encounter. However if you require guidance both the training department and the people working in your section will be more than happy to help.

There is generally always more work to be done as you are given plenty of reponsibility. However if you feel that you are being overworked, given to much responsibility or being taken advantage of the training department will step in because they are paying to train you rather than to bolster numbers in work areas.

From the off you will be given as much responsibility as possible, your work manager will want you to handle work without relying on their micro management.

The atmosphere is relaxed and you can "have a laugh" with your colleagues, however it is a professional aerospace company and people act accordingly.

The training department is very well set up to deal to manage your placement, you are set targets for your placements and you are expected to account for your time.

The entire placement is focused towards training you through work to become a future manager within AgustaWestland. There are also plenty of opportunities to engage in volunteer work whilst you are working for the company.

I have been offered a place on the AgustaWestland graduate training scheme which lasts for two years.

AWASA (AgustaWestland Apprentice and Student Association) & AWADP (AgustaWestland Association of Developing Professionals) both actively arrange social and fundraising events. There is also plenty of opportunity to get involved in social events within your work area.

It is cheaper than living as a student if you share accommodation, and you are being paid monthly.

The nightlife is fine for a town in the South West, however, Yeovil is not a student city and you can't expect a similar night life to university. Working 9-5 means that you wont be that interested in clubbing etc on week nights anyway, so the quieter week nights are rarely a problem.

AgustaWestland will make you aware of several voluntary schemes that they run. Beyond this you are free to do what ever you want when you're not at work; probably the same things you do with your free time at the moment.