Never has there been a greater imperative for businesses to think laterally in order to gain a competitive edge than in the current economic climate, according to Val Cheetham, placement office manager for The Robert Gordon University’s faculty of design and technology.
She reckons that one sure-fire way of ensuring that they are operating at the forefront of their field is to employ the cream of the crop of new graduates.
This is particularly true of the UK oil&gas industry, where cutting-edge thinking and technology are vital to explore and exploit diminishing reserves in mature fields.
Inevitably, the top graduates are much sought-after, but shrewd businesses can beat the crowds by forging links with students while they are still at university through work-experience placements.
RGU’s School of Engineering has long championed the work placement as an essential part of its degree programmes, considering that it is the key to helping produce the type of employees that industry is looking for.
Placements are often described as a “win-win” situation: businesses have access to the latest research, technology and ideas, as well as getting to know potential employees while they are students; the university consolidates its relations with industry, feeding back into course design and content, and the students themselves have an opportunity to apply their theoretical knowledge to the workplace and potentially make contacts leading to employment.
One student whose experience ticks all of the above boxes is William West. The 21-year-old MEng mechanical engineering student from Inverallochy did his placement with Petrofac and has now secured a permanent job with the company as a graduate mechanical engineer.
West, who graduates this month said: “I think the opportunity to carry out a placement while at university is crucial. Graduates with previous industrial experience have a distinct advantage when applying for employment.
“Not only did I receive industrial experience in the Petrofac offices, but I was fortunate enough to be put through my survival course by the company and visit the Heather and Thistle platforms, which it runs.
“Travelling on helicopters, familiarising myself with being on an offshore platform, and generally getting used to the surroundings offshore has been an invaluable experience.
“I’ve also had the opportunity to shadow an experienced engineer, and I’m now really looking forward to building my career in the oil&gas sector.”
Cheetham is responsible for organising about 80 engineering student placements each year.
She said: “The benefits to students are self-evident, but for organisations, the contribution made by these highly motivated team members, who quickly adapt, often bringing fresh insights and solutions to age-old problems, can prove invaluable.”
Placement programmes establish a reliable and cost-effective recruiting ground for many organisations. As well as Petrofac, The Robert Gordon University’s engineering placement partners include Dril-Quip, Matrikon, Aker Solutions, ICS Triplex, Sonomatic, Hallin Marine, Talisman, Amec, AGR, FMC Technology, Bureau Veritas and KCA Deutag.
But more such partners are needed by RGU and other universities whose graduates seek oil industry careers.
If you want to help, get in touch with Val Cheetham on 01224 262344, or at v.c.cheetham@rgu.ac.uk
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