Project Engineer, General Assembly Review

Working at Vauxhall has been a privilege. The company has done a very good job thinking about the undergraduates job roles and responsibilities. Every day is full of work and new challenges, some days can be tougher than others but there is always support from colleagues who are easy approachable.

I have made a very strong relationship with colleagues in Manufacturing, Quality and HR Departments. Also Its been made very clear from the start that everybody is approachable including management.

To start with I had lot of guidance form the previous undergraduate which lead me to carry on my own two feet very comfortably. at times i have needed to contact management and colleagues in other areas of Vauxhall and have had no issues speaking to new individuals. I have always felt like i have had my opinions and findings listened to respectively throughout Vauxhall.

Very Overwhelmed with work at times, but there is always the possibility to say you have to much on. which is what i have had to say to a couple of individuals because priorities in the company must be made.

100% Responsibility on my job role which made me know that if i was not in this job role it would have to be filled by another individual.

I have gained a lot of Soft skills such as Communications, Presentation, Organisation, Time Management, Professionalism, Negotiation, Planning and Conflict Resolution skills. Also Vauxhall encourage training programs for undergraduates as well as there own employees as they strive for the best in their companies growth and the growth in their employees. I have had the opportunity to have training in Excel Macros (VBA), Process Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (PFMEA), Throughput Improvement Process (TIP), Red X Strategy and Solution Tools which are all skills I can put on my CV in Confidence

There was always good banter and happy faces. But on the odd occasions there will be stressful days and negativity just because of problems out on the production line effecting the work environment mentally. But these heated times would be resolved with collective meetings and discussions on the Real Time Issue.

The Placement Was very well organised from Hand Over Packs, Open Days, Director Presentations, Introductions to Management and Employees, Social Events, Site Tours, Site Activities, Site Charity Events, Halls of Residence, Housing Support and Feedback Meetings.

the Company Invested alot of different training packs for me such as ILM Training, PFMEA Training, Excel and Advanced Excel, Macros, TIP, Red X, E-Learning, Health and Safety, Safety Driving, Presentation Skills. Also given the support and guidance to buy off new equipment if necessary which has allowed myself to leave my own footprint into the company.

Graduate jobs are hard to come by in Vauxhall, and tend to only take on Undergraduates that have previously worked for Vauxhall, therefore i Have more of a chance than those outside of Vauxhall. but still have to boast about work completed to get the sufficient recognition.

A great social scene with other undergraduates on placement scheme as Vauxhall employee over 75 undergrads each year. which is a huge investment for the company.

I lived with 4 other house mates and applied for private renting on a house which was £340 per month and a starting deposit of £300. This was a very good price for me and my fellow housemates as it was affordable and was a very good house. we was offered housing via Vauxhall but managed to sort out our own house of choice for the year.

Brilliant Cheap Nights out on a Thursday (Best Behavior Though Otherwise Friday Morning will be Difficult) at Yates, Close to London, Milton Keynes, Harpenden and St Albans

There are always activities to get involved in outside of work and charity events such as London To Brighton Bike Ride.