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Our team has experts in Electric Machine Design, Power Electronics Design, Software and Control Systems, Complex Systems Integration and Vehicle Integration, enabling us to go all the way from a concept through design, development, prototype build and test on a dyno finishing with a built demonstrator in a vehicle, all under the same roof, in Abingdon.
We welcome 9 trainees presently, and this will grow further in future years. Ranging from Level 3 to PhDs students, they come with a variety of skills and experience, which they can share as well as develop.
Our apprentices get the opportunity to get involved in all aspects of our work and explore which area they might want to specialise in. Our Year-in-Industry (YINI) students are placed in Electronics, Mechanical Design or Health and Safety but, due to the size and nature of the organisation, are exposed to the work of other teams. Our post graduate trainee positions support specific projects, but there are again plenty of opportunities for collaborative working.
When asked about their experience of working at the Innovation Centre, one of our Junior Mechanical Engineers told us he relished being able to apply engineering theory and principals in real world situations and to look into all aspects of engineering design, from high performance to high volume, in a creative way. He welcomed the great opportunity offered to learn and develop new skills, from new programmes to data analysis to dealing with suppliers. One of our Level 3 apprentices also highlighted the diversity of work and breadth of opportunities: “GKN Innovation Centre has allowed me to explore various aspects of the business causing me to adapt a large variety of skills. It has also allowed the opportunities to develop and grow within the business”.
Our trainees welcome the creative freedom and opportunity to develop, manufacture and test their own designs. As these are real world projects we benefit greatly from their endeavour: as an example, our motor testing training rig was designed, built and programmed by our apprentices. Our STEM engagement work will soon be enriched by a demonstration e-car envisioned, designed and built by our trainee collective.
Above all, our trainees welcome an “effortlessly” friendly and relaxed atmosphere and a strong mentoring culture. One of the YINIs commented on the fact that: “support & appreciation from senior staff gives you confidence, which is going to help us in Graduate roles. Even though on training, we are given proper chances to work on live projects and importance is given to our opinions”. And such mentoring culture is contagious: more experienced trainees have been advising their peers in support of their career development. One trainee even initiated a joint-project to support skills development.
We strongly believe that giving budding engineers the ability to work to their strengths and explore their weaknesses in a safe environment is important to nurture creativity in pursuit of innovation, our sole reason for being and the key to solving tomorrow’s challenges.