Graduate Development Programme
Name: Abby
Location: Devonport
Sector: Nuclear
Having studied Automotive Engineering with Motorsport for her undergraduate degree, followed by a Master’s in Sustainable Energy Engineering a few years later, Babcock was never initially on Abby’s radar. Being from the outskirts of London, she didn’t envisage herself moving across the country to work in the defence sector on naval vessels – but nevertheless she applied on the strength of a very close friend having completed the graduate scheme.
“I joined Babcock in August 2020 during a very strange and trying time. I spent two years doing a variety of placement rotations around different parts of the business during which I gained a wide range of knowledge and experience, but ultimately I remained within the Commissioning Group. I was fortunate that my final placement was with the team that I have my permanent role with.”
Where effort meets outcome
In her role within Babcock’s Graduate Development Programme, Abby came to realise that she would get to see through projects from beginning to end – and ultimately, see how her role fits within the wider business.
“Working in Commissioning allows me to be an engineer. No two days are ever the same, especially whilst working on complex and vital systems on board a nuclear submarine. It’s a job role that allows you to see the output of your hard work and how the work feeds into a bigger picture, ultimately leading to a submarine sailing from the Dockyard to carry out her duties and keeping all of her crew safe.”
“My role as Commissioning Package Manager has provided opportunity to take full responsibility of a system within the weapons realm, meaning managing a maintenance project from cradle to grave, interacting with multiple stakeholders within Babcock, our subcontractors and the MoD, and also going onboard the platform to see the physical works.”
By assigning mentors, we ensure that our graduates receive all the valuable support they need to succeed.
“I was assigned a mentor when I joined the graduate scheme and it’s an aspect of being a graduate that I am incredibly grateful for. My mentor has helped me both personally and professionally, and I am very grateful for the time he takes out of his very busy day to support me and be a sounding board.”
“I have been very well supported to develop and encourage to undertake a variety of training courses, including Nuclear Fundamentals 1 & 2 and the APM PFQ, and I’m also working towards gaining Chartership with the IMechE, with the support of my mentor.”