Rolls Royce is one of the worlds most recognised brands and ranks in the Top 3 employers in Derby City – with a international workforce of over 50,000, the Derby sites accommodate 14,000 of these employees.
For information on the work experience, apprenticeships, internships and school leaver jobs, there is a page of advice for school & university leavers here. There are a huge range of roles at the Derby site, in both technical and practical roles.
____________________________________________________
Alex Vincent, one of our local partners from Bombardier, the UK’s largest train manufacturer based in Derby, has the following information about careers in Engineering:
Engineering plays one of the most integral roles in modern society. Everything we 
use has been touched by an engineer, from the transport we take, the phones we use or the structures we live and work in. It involves the designing, testing and building of machines, structures and processes using maths and science, finding solutions to day-to-day and worldwide challenges.
What does an Engineer do?
An engineers’ main job is being responsible for designing, developing, building and testing the project they are involved in, ensuring that it is safe and fit for purpose for its intended environment or purpose. There are multiple types of engineers specialising in certain areas including aerospace, biomedical, architectural and computers, but traditionally there are four main types of Engineering careers which are Mechanical (tools and machines), Civil (buildings and infrastructure), Electrical (components and power generation/distribution) and Chemical (food, drugs and chemicals).
An engineer will usually undertake the following activities as part of their role:
- agreeing budgets, timescales and specifications with clients and managers
- using computer-aided design and engineering software to create project plans and diagrams
- designing and overseeing the installation of systems and processes
- undertaking relevant research
- implementing designs and creating test procedures
- testing, evaluating, modifying and re-testing products
- writing reports and documentation
- analysing and interpreting data
- maintaining and modifying equipment to ensure that it is safe, reliable and efficient for its lifespan
What skills and qualities do you need to become an engineer?
Typically Engineers have a strong background in Maths and Science, with a sound grasp of the English Language. However, the softer skills are just as important, such as the abilities to listen, problem solve, negotiate/compromise and be approachable. But as with all careers; passion, commitment and enthusiasm is the most important quality of all and what we as employers really want to see from our employees.
How can you become and engineer?
Traditionally there are 3 routes:
-
- Apprenticeship Schemes – Entry to level 3 – 3 x GCSE’s A*-C or equivalent – English and Maths included
- Typically join from school, but no age limit
- 3 / 4 year courses, supported learning at Technical / Further Education Colleges
- Structured work experience
- Earn while you Learn – Vocational / Technical qualifications
- Apprenticeship Schemes – Entry to level 3 – 3 x GCSE’s A*-C or equivalent – English and Maths included
At Bombardier for example we have:
-
-
- Mechanical Engineering, Welding, Test, Electrical and Paint schemes
- Rotations of 3-6 months around different projects gaining experience
- Mentor and regular reviews, support and development throughout the scheme
- Day release: Learning Unlimited, Pride Park- Chesterfield College Group
-
-
- Graduate Schemes – Graduates will need a degree in a relevant engineering or science/maths-based subject
- 2 year rotational programme
- Rotations of 3-6 months around various areas of the business
- Fully supported by a mentor, buddy, home manager and host manager
- Gain chartership in the relevant field: CIPS, IMechE, IET, APM
- Some schemes sponsor elements of University tuition fees
- Supported career foundation – structured work experience post University
- Supported career development through Institutions / Chartership
- Graduate Schemes – Graduates will need a degree in a relevant engineering or science/maths-based subject
-
- Direct Entry
- Often job related with training included
- Gain work experience through differing roles
- Direct Entry
At Bombardier and at nearly all large or medium sized organisations, they have annual Graduate and Apprentice intake schemes. Graduate schemes also do not necessarily apply to just engineering, as we have Engineering, Quality, Procurement, Project Management and Services Execution Graduate programmes also.
Applications typically start at the beginning of each year, for uptake starting in September. Both allow the development of transferable skills, understanding of how organisations work, build confidence in meeting and working with different people and confirm your interest in a career or industry.
Alex goes on to recommend the following resources, if you would like to find out more:
https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/
https://www.theiet.org/career/
https://www.imeche.org/careers-education
___________________________________________________
The Lubrizol Corporation, a Berkshire Hathaway company, has been delivering science to improve lives for more than 90 years. We provide unmatched science that unlocks immense possibilities at the molecular level.
Our solutions are found in products used by people every day, driving sustainable and measurable results to help the world Move Cleaner, Create Smarter and Live Better. Our business is comprised of two segments: Lubrizol Additives and Lubrizol Advanced Materials.
Lubrizol Additives products work for you on the road, every day. We develop products that play an essential role in the proven performance of finished lubricants. We test our additives extensively in the lab and in the field under real-world conditions, and we help our customers differentiate and succeed through trusted expertise, testing confidence, global supply and independent strength.
You likely touch Lubrizol Advanced Materials products every day. They are in the shampoos and soaps you use, the clothes you wear…and much more. Our unique formulations result in many of the distinct characteristics that drive consumer buying decisions. As an innovation leader, we leverage our core polymer and surface active chemistries and formulations to create proprietary, high-performance materials for our customers in a wide range of industries. In this way, we help our customers stay ahead of their customers’ needs.
You can find out more about Lubrizol and our mission here – The Lubrizol Corporation: Our Mission to Help the World Move Cleaner, Create Smarter & Live Better – YouTube
The Hazelwood, Derby, site is the Lubrizol Additives European Research and Development Centre. We have over 350 people on site.
Our world leading scientists and engineers collaborate to invent and develop unique molecules with ground-breaking performance; proven in the lab and on the road to deliver customer satisfaction.
Our global support services are the backbone of Lubrizol with human resources, information solutions, finance, health and safety, marketing, creative services and sales all based on site. This diverse arena of support combines specialist skills with experienced minds and supports the business and customers of Lubrizol across the world.
Our placement opportunities (for those studying degrees at university)
We offer approximately 30 positions in the following roles across our sites at Hazelwood near Derby, and Blackley in Manchester;
- Research & Development
- Chemical Synthesis | Applied & Strategic Research | Blend Test Services
- Engineering
- Automotive | Mechanical | Tribology
- Business
- Procurement
- Creative Services | Business | Marketing Support
- IS Applications Development
- Regulatory Compliance
You can find out more about these placements here – www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/company-profile/309/lubrizol
Or watch videos about some of the roles available:
Anya Briggs: Student Placement (Part of Lubrizol’s Leave Your Mark Series) – YouTube
Victoria Hurst: Student Placement (Part of Lubrizol’s Leave Your Mark Series) – YouTube
Our Apprenticeship opportunities (college and degree level)
We offer a number of apprenticeships also on site in similar areas to those above. Please head to https://jobs.lubrizol.com/content/location/ and narrow your search to the UK to see what apprenticeships are available at the current time.
You can find out more about us at www.Lubrizol.com or by reading our Corporate Report – www.lubrizol.com/Our-Company/Corporate-Report