FKI graduates

• travel to the USA, Canada, Europe and China
• work on a variety of projects
• become chartered engineers
• undertake an MBA.
  

Name: Craig Ellis
Age: 26
Job title: Project Electrical Engineer
University: UMIST – University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology
Degree: MEng Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Arup
Arup Manufacturing, London – pre-university gap year
Arup Transport, Solihull – summer placement 1
Arup M & E, Manchester – summer placement 2
Arup M & E, Cardiff – summer placement 3

FKI plc
Bristol Babcock, Worcester – graduate placement 1
FKI Logistex, Frederick, USA – graduate placement 2
Marelli Motori, Italy – graduate placement 3
Bridon International Ltd, Doncaster – graduate placement 4

Experiences range from one extreme to another; on one placement you could be working at a desk designing a control system for a water company, while on the next you will be hanging upside down 30 metres above the ground fixing a motor onto sorting tracks. That is what the scheme has shown me within my two years.

My personnel highlights are working on site in the US, exploring, installing and commissioning the product, flying up to Scotland to give a training presentation to a client on the product I developed, regularly having the opportunity to get my hands dirty, and of course getting the chance to fly around the world, working in countries and locations you would normally visit for a brief holiday.

My future plans involve chartered engineer application this year, starting the MBA, and then moving to more of a management role within the company.