Current Graduates on the Engineering Scheme
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Richard, Joined 2006
Why did you choose to apply to BOC?
I applied to BOC because I wanted to be part of for a well regarded and established blue-chip company that had excellent core values at its heart, such as a strong commitment to its employees, customers and the environment. I applied for BOC's engineering graduate scheme because it offers such a diverse range of opportunities, such as being exposed to and involved in many areas of the company which gives very valuable experience, chances to network with senior managers and fellow peers across the lines of business, and above all give an excellent grounding in my engineering career with mentoring support, training courses and assistance in becoming a fully chartered engineer.
What was your first placement?
My first placement was as a Project Engineer, being based at our Special Products facility in Immingham, NE Lincolnshire. This was a fantastic placement that gave me real responsibility and several challenges from day one. I managed several small to medium scale projects at the branch, which tested me in many ways. I certainly felt like a valuable member of the team, and had an excellent chance to make a real positive impact on the business.
What have you been responsible for and what are you currently involved with?
On my previous role at Immingham, my main responsibilities included managing my own budgets, making my own project plans to meet tight deadlines, and to assist with that I had an independent decision making ability. I also had to ensure I maintained BOC's 100% commitment to safety and the environment. My current role is as Maintenance Project Engineer at our tonnage site in Margam, South Wales. I am currently having real hands on experience in learning about running and maintaining an air-separation plant. Currently I am involved with the shut-down team who are overhauling one of the plants for its five-yearly maintenance. I am also concurrently running other projects, with tighter deadlines and further challenges than I faced in Immingham. I will also be involved in our two hydrogen plants here, our satellite plants, liaising with our major pipeline customers, while also gaining shift work and operational experience - certainly plenty to be involved in here!
What do you like most about working for BOC?
Working for BOC means that every day is dynamic and different, with new and exciting challenges to face and overcome. I relish having so much responsibility early on in my career, and really value how much BOC supports you as a graduate on the scheme. I certainly feel very confident that when I come to apply for chartership after completing the accredited scheme, I will have plenty of experience to draw on, and have a wide range of skills that should give me an excellent grounding for coming off the scheme into a permanent role with a great career foundation.
What has been your highlight so far?
I have already made many personal achievements, and so picking a highlight as such is difficult. However, I can think of two projects at Immingham that although were completely different, both presented new and complex challenges. One involved a situation where there was a conflict with a supplier, which appeared to be a total roadblock to the project. However, I managed to source an alternative path, and cement a new relationship which has already proved very fruitful, and looks very positive for the future. The other project I was particularly pleased with was given what seemed an impossibly tight deadline, and was given an urgent priority. I was able to draw on relationships I had built up with suppliers and contactors, and I managed to finish just under a month ahead of time, and also come under budget.
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Chris, Joined 2004
Why did you choose to apply to BOC?
I chose to apply to BOC because the graduate scheme is recognized by the IMechE as a Monitored Professional Development Scheme and counts l towards becoming a chartered engineer. BOC also had a large number of patents in the "Edwards" vacuum pumps division.
What was your first placement?
My first placement was in Health and Safety. I learnt some transferable skills helping towards chartered status, such as man management and received a national qualification in H&S, a NEBOSH.
What have you been responsible for and what are you currently involved with?
Since then I have been a project manager, finishing handed over projects through to Commissioning and handover and initiating new ones through Feasibility, Change Management and proposal, for small to medium range value projects. After this I worked in the operations team, developing plant health monitoring software, out in the field running plants, in plant control for thawing for shutdowns and fine tuning plant performance for Ultra High Purity Liquid Oxygen.
What have you been responsible for and what are you currently involved with?
Currently I find myself in the Reliability Engineering team a role involving management of overhauls and a number of projects connected with condition monitoring and management systems review.
There are high levels of responsibility and accountability. I am given a great deal of freedom to get on with a job, it helps that the attitude to all questions is a welcoming one. Line managers are keen to keep me on my toes and continuously challenge and stimulate me, a motivating combination.
What has been your highlight so far?
Difficult to pick my highlight, there have been a few. In the H&S job I enjoyed representing BOC at a local schools choir festival we were sponsoring; I have been in choirs throughout my life. In the Project Management position I performed well throughout the year, changing some local practices; I enjoyed the year as a whole. In operations engineering I have learned through a wide range of practiced disciplines and in this role will manage a plant shutdown