VCA Graduate Training Scheme

Our graduates

Simon

"Since joining the Graduate scheme I have worked in many different locations working on many different projects. Since the first two years initial training, I have now been working in our Japan office for over a year.

My first two years involved working at DfT (IVS), VCA, VOSA, TRL and Morgan Motor Company. In the short time you spend at each place (normally around 3 months) you are involved in specific projects and anything else you are able to get involved with. The majority of my projects have involved design, manufacturing and hands on testing, utilising my skills from previous employment and university.

Every placement you do will involve making or following Policy, Directives or Regulations.

Since joining the scheme I have become a more rounded engineer with understanding of nearly every part of the motor industry from making Regulation to manufacturing and meeting Regulations, from small manufacturer to the largest motor manufacturer in the world. Your knowledge will broaden immensely during your time on the scheme, even now I am still learning and still have lots to learn in some areas.

You must be willing to travel and have the ability to work by yourself and use your own initiative, while also working as part of a team. "

Rachel

"I am currently in my second year on the graduate scheme. I have been on placement in the VCA Japan office for 2 months now. I have tested to many of the different regulations and directives for vehicles going to markets all over the world. I have been able to compare the techniques used over here, to those used by manufacturers in the UK. I've learnt some Japanese as well.

Before coming to Japan I was on placement at the Department for Transport in London. I was given projects on new and developing technologies and investigating existing regulations. I was also able to see the development of regulations and standards from the very beginning at a meeting in Geneva.

In my first year I completed 2 six month placements working at VOSA and VCA. These placements were aimed at gaining a broad understanding of the work that these organisations perform.

During my VOSA placement I was able to complete a variety of projects including design projects, running trials of new equipment and quality control techniques. I also spent 6 weeks at a VOSA test station, performing a variety of tests including HGV annual tests and IVA (individual vehicle approvals).

At VCA I was able to see a huge variety of tests to many different regulations and directives at both of the VCA UK offices. This involved working with a variety of manufacturers from small scale manufacturers to large scale global vehicle manufacturers. I was also given projects involving design and specific technical knowledge.

Each placement is tailored to developing a well-rounded and knowledgeable engineer. A record of what is being learnt is always completed through the IMECHE e-MPDS system, which is continually monitored by my mentor. This is to ensure an application can be made at the end of 4 years to become a chartered engineer."

Sean

"What have I been doing?

I joined the graduate scheme in September 2010 and spent 7 months working at the VCA Midlands Centre in Nuneaton. I worked as a type approval engineer and witnessed, assisted and carried out system and components tests on various types of vehicles. This has included tests such as emissions, crash and braking. I have also been involved in towbar testing using VCA’s test rig at the Midlands Centre.

After VCA, I went on a manufacturer placement at Caetanobus in Porto, Portugal, for 4 months. During this placement I was involved in design work and got invaluable experience working for a manufacturer. After Caetanobus I worked at VOSA for 3 months and looked at technical roadworthiness standards and I am currently working at the Transport Research Laboratory designing crash dummy calibration test rigs.

Why did I apply to VCA?

A major reason for applying was the placement scheme. The opportunity to work in effectively 6 jobs in 2 years will give me experience in industry and in type approval work and hopefully by the end of it I will be in a good position to make a real contribution to VCA. The opportunity for international travel is also a highlight. Since I have been here I have been to Spain for testing and spent 4 months working in Porto, which was an excellent experience.

Another benefit of working with VCA is that it is a very varied role. You are not as restricted as you could be at a manufacturer and this means you get the opportunity to work on all types of vehicles and be involved in all types of testing.

If you have any questions about the scheme feel free to contact me via email, sean.morris@vca.gov.uk."

Next... "Graduate selection process"