Emma - Engineering Graduate Scheme

Liz - Systems Engineer

Peter - Undergraduate Scheme

Undergraduate

Lee spent a placement year at MBDA and is now back at university continuing his Computer Science degree.

"I chose MBDA because I wanted a company that would look after my professional career and give me real jobs that would stretch me. I wasn't disappointed."

"It's a great scheme that ensures I get a good understanding of engineering and analyses what I need to develop further to become a fully rounded member of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers."

"The company has a real understanding of a trainee engineer's needs and knows how to capture your interest right from the start. As soon as I joined I was assigned a Mentor who made sure I was happy with the work and training that I was given. We met up every six weeks or so and I would show him my log book with details of all the work I had completed or been involved in, as well as training courses and tours I had been on."

"I was given a buddy of similar age to my own who had completed the same scheme. He was there to help me but I found everyone I worked with was very friendly. If I needed to know anything my line manager and my colleagues were only too pleased to help, both technically and socially."

"MBDA stretched me, both in day to day tasks and in my professional development. They are well organised and see trainees as a priority and an investment, not an inconvenience."

Electronics Technology and Design Graduate

Herlinde joined MBDA as a Graduate Engineer in 2001 and hasn't looked back since.

"I love the job I do because every day is different and I have control of my career. My first two years on the graduate scheme were spent in the Electronics Technologies and Design Department. Everyone was very friendly and always had time to answer my questions, which was good because the placements take you into new areas where the learning curves are very steep."

"Since completing the graduate scheme I've been responsible for the electronics design of one of the subsystems of the Meteor missile. It's a very daunting task but I'm relishing the challenge and love being able to apply my degree knowledge to real problems. Earlier this year I realised one of my career ambitions when, thanks to the support of my managers and colleagues, I achieved Chartered Engineer status with the IEE."

Herlinde is also a Technical Co-ordinator, responsible for the development of all the graduates and trainees within her department and a mentor for a trainee on the scholarship programme.

"Not only is this very enjoyable," says Herlinde, "but it has helped me develop my leadership and interpersonal skills."

Outside work Herlinde is a Cub Scout leader for a local group and has used some of her PASS scheme cash towards First Aid and other training courses. And one of the best things for Herlinde is flexible working. "My flexitime is worth a lot to me, on Fridays I can leave at 12.30 so I can go away for the weekend and miss the traffic."

Strategic Change and Quality Graduate

Tom began his career with MBDA in July 2003 with a 3-month summer placement prior to the final year of his MEng degree at the University of Bath.

"I spent my summer working in what is now the Strategic Change and Quality Department which gave me very valuable insights into the workings of a multinational defence company and aided my final year no end. I enjoyed my placement so much that when I was offered a place on the graduate scheme I was very pleased."

"My first placement was working directly for the Project Quality Assurance Manager within the Meteor project. I was tasked with establishing a system to manage project equipment and on-loan hardware, including aircraft, held throughout the project. This meant regular visits overseas, every other week at one point, either on my own or in a team."

"In my second placement I worked for Business Improvement where I organised a multinational workshop in Paris, followed by a similar workshop in London attended by a number of key international figures."

"I've certainly gained valuable experience from placements within different departments across the company, giving me a very broad knowledge of the organisation and how it operates. The overall training within MBDA is of a very high standard, with excellent opportunities for learning languages and a range of work-related skills. The mentor scheme also works well - its there if you need it and the advice is always impartial."