Babcock International Group |

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
One of my friends at university had applied to work at Babcock – he was excited and really wanted the job. On seeing his excitement, I decided to look into what graduate opportunities there were available at Babcock.

The Electrical and Electronic Engineering Graduate Programme fit with my degree, and I could see it offered the opportunity to work in different areas of the business and widen my skillset as an engineer. Having had no prior engineering experience, I thought this would be perfect for me.

Other graduate positions at other companies offered little information about their graduate programmes, or I found that they were highly coding based, which is not my strong point. However, I have been told that there are courses and placements that I can do at Babcock to improve my skills in coding which is good.

My typical day:
I start my working day by attending a project meeting where we discuss what compartments on the ships need to be worked on or inspected. I write these all down in my notes, get the relevant documents required for each compartment, and then I will go survey these areas on the ship.

After work, I usually head to the gym and on Tuesdays, I play in a 7-a-side football team with my Babcock colleagues. The social life at Babcock is great, as there’s always stuff going on with graduates such as nights out, walks, gaming nights, and coffee talks.

My favourite part of the job:
My first placement, working on naval ships, has been my favourite part of the job so far. I supported with ship repairs and upgrades, as well as coming up with new systems that could be introduced.

I love the fact that I work on board the ships almost every day. Getting to know my way around a ship and being able to find each compartment has been interesting.

It’s extremely rewarding to see what work is being done when a ship is going through a refitting process. Being able to sign off a compartment once all repairs have been completed is a nice feeling of accomplishment. I will be happy, but sad the day the ship I’m working on has been fully refitted and is sent to sea.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
Not being a morning person and starting work early has probably been the most challenging thing for me, but after a few weeks of working, it became routine.

Babcock offers agile working, so at times I start earlier or start later and as long as I’ve made up my time that is acceptable. Agile working helps me find time to relax, do some errands, or hang out with friends.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
I chose the Project Management Graduate Programme because, throughout my life, I’ve always found satisfaction in turning an idea into a reality. Plus, the process of calculating costs, looking for opportunities, and addressing risks and issues has always been fun to me.

I like that at Babcock you get to work on many different projects, that you get to choose. On top of that, they’ll help you with professional development – providing fully funded training courses to help you get professional qualifications, as well as helping you get chartered. Babcock has supported me in gaining my APM qualifications. They have paid for my exams and memberships, as well as providing free training courses.

I chose Babcock because of its great reputation, but most importantly, because of its purpose. The company’s purpose ‘Creating a safe and secure world, together’ is so easy to get behind. The amazing work that the company does in keeping the UK and the wider world safe is inspiring. To be able to go to work and know you are contributing to helping protect your loved ones and family is so rewarding.

My typical day:
My typical day as a Graduate Project Manager starts with me going to the office and setting up my desk. I’ll attend meetings with multiple stakeholders, and after that, I will start to work on my objectives – which could include creating a schedule or calculating the cost of a work package. If I need any assistance, I will work with my manager, who is always very helpful. If I finish my work early, I will request more work from the Project Manager, who always has something I can get stuck into.

My favourite part of the job:
My favourite part of the job is when I’m given ownership of a part of a project. For example, ensuring scheduled work is on time and completed within the forecasted schedule, calculating the cost for a work package, or identifying risks and mitigations. It’s always great when you’ve been given the responsibility to own and deliver something as it shows people value you and have trust in you.

Being able to feel part of Babcock and being able to help make the world a safer and more secure place is something that will always be the best part of the job – it gives a sense of meaning to what we do.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
For me, the most challenging thing was transitioning from university straight into the job. It took me a little while to feel comfortable and settle into the role. However, my line manager was so helpful and encouraging, giving me so many great tips.

Overall, the atmosphere at Babcock is great. People here are so nice and welcoming – it’s so much easier to settle down into a new role when you’re met with smiles every day.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
I’ve always wanted to work on projects that have a significant impact on society. Currently, I am involved in a ground-breaking project at Babcock, focused on the removal and recycling of reactors from several retired Royal Navy submarines. This is the first time in history a reactor pressure vessel has been dismantled and repackaged, so I feel a great sense of pride in being involved in such an innovative project.

The Civil and Structural Engineering Graduate Programme at Babcock offers me the flexibility to pursue the work that aligns with my interests, while also supporting my goal of achieving chartered status with the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE).

My typical day:
I have meetings most days with Civil, Structural and Architectural (CS&A) and other disciplines to discuss various aspects of the project. Day to day I work on tasks such as performing calculations and preparing design reports.

I also participate in graduate development modules, including workshops designed to enhance essential skills like communication and adaptability. I help organise and host webinars and lectures for the CS&A department, covering topics like seismic design, Construction Design Management (CDM), and sustainable design.

My favourite part of the job:
The best part about working here is the size of Babcock and the number of opportunities there are to meet fantastic people, both on your project and outside of it. Networking is easy within Babcock and regular meetings with the CS&A department make me feel like a real member of a team.

I have always played team sports throughout my life so value a team atmosphere, and at Babcock, you never feel alone. I also enjoy agile working at Babcock. This allows me to work hours that fit with my project requirements and meetings, whilst being able to get to the gym when it’s not too busy.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
During my first year, I was asked to do a set of calculations and design reports assessing a dock’s capability for certain loads. The work was challenging and put the skills I had learnt at university to the test. However, the task helped me grow significantly as an engineer. Whenever I was unsure of the next steps, I had the support of my team and other engineers who provided guidance.

The task also involved me learning two new software packages I had never used before. However, I was able to quickly pick these up and produce the required calculations.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
After completing my studies in marketing at university, I found myself uncertain about the career path I wanted to take. I already knew of Babcock as I had recently completed a placement year with another defence company. A colleague of mine had previously worked for Babcock and highly recommended their graduate programme. After looking into it, it sounded like the perfect opportunity – I could move around different areas of the business, try different roles, try living in different areas of the country (some of our programmes encourage moving locations every 6 months), and find what I was passionate about.

My typical day:
My typical day has varied greatly during my time on the graduate programme, as I rotate around different areas of the business for various placements. One day I could be working in a warehouse reviewing stock management processes, and the next I could be presenting a piece of data analysis to the customer to help them better understand our fleet management capabilities.

My favourite part of the job:
As a graduate, I’m given the unique opportunity to work in diverse roles across the Land sector. This has led to my favourite part of the job being the ability to build up a large network and an in-depth understanding of our contracts. As a result, I have become the go-to person for sharing best practices and quickly identifying areas for improvement.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
Whilst being able to rotate through various positions and locations has been incredibly rewarding, it has also been challenging. I’m constantly learning and meeting new people, and frequently moving around the country to work in new locations.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
I’m on the Systems Engineering Graduate Programme, based at Devonport in Plymouth.

I chose Babcock because I specialised in nuclear physics during my master’s studies, and Babcock offered the unique opportunity to be involved with mobile reactors aboard submarines.

Working in systems engineering I’m involved in a lot of ground-breaking work. I’m overseeing projects and gaining a lot of knowledge. I can’t think of many other places that offer such diverse and exciting work.

My typical day:
My typical day differs from one placement to another, but generally, my days start with a morning meeting dedicated to discussing our well-being and addressing any work-related concerns. Throughout the day, I may participate in additional meetings related to ongoing work or new projects.

Most of my responsibilities involve providing support for existing projects and exploring opportunities for improvements. I also allocate time to progress towards chartership and ensure that my work aligns effectively with the required criteria.

My favourite part of the job:
My favourite part of the job is understanding and learning more about the dockyard and our operations. I’m learning a lot through my placements, and I’m enjoying finding out more about the work we do, in an exciting and varied workplace.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
During my first placement, I was tasked with delivering a presentation on project reviews. This was quite daunting as I was presenting on a subject the audience was already well-versed in. I had to ensure that my points were clear and effectively addressed the subject while keeping to a time limit. Although it was a challenging experience, it was a valuable learning opportunity. The presentation went well, and I am now confident in how to prepare for future presentations.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
I chose Babcock as the business has values that closely align with my own. The company does not take a tick-box approach to delivering corporate goals and provides strong evidence of the meaningful work that is being done to achieve its goals including diversity and inclusion targets and emission reduction targets.

On the Sustainability Graduate Programme, I have opportunities to be part of the Babcock Plan Zero 40 project to achieve emission reduction targets. My work also contributes to a range of other sustainability initiatives including enhancing biodiversity, reducing waste brought onto site via sustainable procurement and ensuring waste goes through the appropriate waste hierarchy, reducing water consumption and creating an overall greener business as usual approach, ensuring that the business can thrive in future without any detrimental impacts on the planet.

I have also been given the opportunity to undertake a social sustainability placement, promoting the importance of social value and creating long lasting and meaningful engagement with internal and external stakeholders.

My typical day:
My typical day involves a combination of office and onsite working. In the office you can find me creating environmental management plans, exploring the potential for new low carbon technologies onsite, identifying green initiatives for projects, and engaging with the local community. Onsite, I could be conducting building condition surveys and exploring energy reduction opportunities. I regularly go on visits off-site to local charities and schools to promote further community engagement. I also regularly attend conferences and panel discussions on sustainability to bring back new, exciting knowledge and ideas to share with the team.

My favourite part of the job:
My favourite part of the job is inspiring other people to consider how they can incorporate sustainability into their working and personal life. Inspiring internal and external stakeholders to join and support the transition to a more sustainable way of working is an exciting part of my role. I love sharing the importance of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) across the business and I look forward to the exciting opportunities this will bring in the future.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
The most challenging thing I have done to date at Babcock is enhancing my networking skills. I found networking something to be really new, daunting and scary to me.

However, I am grateful for the numerous opportunities, both locally and internationally, to travel and engage in various events. Through these experiences, I’ve improved my networking abilities and strengthened my overall confidence.

My graduate programme, why I chose it and why I chose Babcock:
I was initially interested in working at Babcock due to their involvement in the Marine and Nuclear sectors. The size of the company also caught my attention as I believed this would bring many opportunities. Being an international business there was the added prospect of potentially completing a placement abroad and collaborating with teams from different parts of the world.

My typical day:
My typical day varies depending on the placement I’m on. However, some of the general tasks and responsibilities I’ve been given include:

• Employee relations – resolving employee concerns and conflicts, helping to maintain a positive workplace culture
• Training and development – designing and delivering training programmes to help employees improve their skills and advance their careers
• Data analysis – reviewing HR metrics and data to identify trends and areas for improvement
• Policy and procedures – developing and implementing HR policies and procedures, ensuring they are compliant with relevant laws and regulations
• Recruitment and onboarding – conducting interviews and assessment centres, and welcoming new hires to the company.

Working in HR is fast-paced and there are plenty of opportunities to learn and develop.

My favourite part of the job:
Working on diverse projects, across various HR teams, and within different sectors and locations has helped me gain a wider view of the HR function. In turn, this has helped me identify the areas of HR that interest me the most and has helped me in discovering where I want to take my career next.

I’ve really appreciated the chance to work with and learn from, experienced HR professionals who have given me valuable guidance and mentorship throughout the programme.

Initially, I couldn’t imagine being part of the projects I’m currently involved in. However, with the support of my peers and guidance from my managers, I have evolved into a self-assured HR professional.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
One of the most challenging projects I’ve worked on was contributing to the HR section of the Annual Report.

Collating HR metrics and KPIs across different countries can be challenging, as laws and requirements differ across countries. Plus, the time-sensitive nature of the annual report meant we were working to tight timescales.

Working on this project gave me an excellent opportunity to collaborate with senior leaders globally, ensuring we had accurate and up-to-date data. Due to the size of the organisation and the number of departments, managing all stakeholders effectively and reporting the correct information to our shareholders was a challenge. However, the experience allowed me to develop project management skills and gain a deeper understanding of HR reporting on a global scale. I also developed a better understanding of Babcock as a whole.

My graduate programme, why I chose it, and why I chose Babcock:
Babcock is a great company, its forward-thinking values and employee focus appealed to me.

The Naval Architecture Graduate Programme offers a vast range of opportunities for me to develop my skills. The Naval Architecture team is utilised across a wide range of marine projects allowing me to build varied and extensive knowledge and experience.

Babcock uses cutting-edge technology in its production processes and to see the way this helps innovate the industry is inspiring to me.

My typical day:
My typical day involves organising my time plan between meetings and my own work. Some days are quieter than others giving me more time to progress my own tasks. Other days I will take part in any range of meetings whether that be for personal or professional development. I’ll have check-ins with my manager or mentor, regular project update meetings to keep everyone on track and in the know, or meetings to present my own work progress.

My favourite part of the job:
I feel a great sense of pride when I complete a project or large piece of work knowing it’s completed to the highest professional standard – be that drawings, calculations, or reports. It’s a great sense of achievement when I go around and inspect the physical work being completed from my drawings. Getting to see the physical product come to fruition is great, especially when that product is a ship and is such an impressive size!

The best project I’ve been involved with so far was dry docking a ship. It was a long process that I was involved in from start to finish. It was such a good feeling when the vessel landed on the dock blocks and had all the water drained out.

The most challenging thing I’ve ever done to date:
Learning to code for a placement was a great challenge for me as my previous university experience was very basic. I was given time to learn and build up my knowledge. I came out the other side confident in coding and eager to further develop and use these skills in my future work.