Engineering Global Graduate

During his time on the GKN Aerospace Global Graduate Programme, Artur completed rotations in design, R&D, and manufacturing across the UK and Netherlands. From hydrogen propulsion projects to materials research, he’s built strong technical and soft skills, supported by managers and a close-knit cohort of graduates.

How did you find out about the GKN Aerospace Global Graduate Programme?

I studied at an International School in Portugal and then went to the University of Hertfordshire in the UK, where I studied engineering. While I was a student, I’d looked into joining GKN Aerospace as a part-time warehouse operative while I studied. And when I went to their website, I saw they had a graduate programme, so I applied.

There were two stages to the application process and then an assessment day in Bristol. This involved an interview, followed by a series of work scenarios, working on your own and in a group with other graduates. Luckily, I got through and was offered a place on the programme.

What were your first few weeks like?

The onboarding process was really fun. I thought I was just going to meet a few UK graduates, but there were graduates from Sweden, the Netherlands, and America. That was when I realized that, at GKN Aerospace, the world is my oyster.

We had a week in London where we had intensive soft skills training. This covered aspects of the company’s work, as well as professionalism, communication, and how you present yourself. Then in the second week, we visited the Bristol site.

What did you experience on your rotations?

It’s a two-year programme, which is usually divided into six month placements, each with a specific focus. My placements were focused on becoming a design engineer at the end of the programme. But in each placement, I learned about different areas, to understand how engineering works in the company.

My first placement was on the Isle of Wight off the south coast of England, working with senior engineers. We were maintaining projects and adapting them to new regulations and an evolving industry. I loved the people there – they were very approachable, friendly, and positive.

My second placement was in the Global Technology Centre (GTC) in Bristol. The GTC is a hub of innovation, with more freedom than I was used to. I struggled to adapt at first because I’d had nine months of intensive training to conform to regulations and standards. I was working with highly gifted and talented people, trying to find a solution to produce a hydrogen propulsion system. As a trainee engineer, it was hard to keep up with the pace, but it was a really enjoyable experience.

My third placement in the Netherlands was in materials and processes and manufacturing engineering in the workshop. This involved the chemistry behind the engineering and how we make the product. That was another major experience, because I was researching the presence of forever chemicals in our products.

Towards the end of each placement, you have the freedom to suggest where your next placement will be. The managers assess if there’s a business need for it, and if there is, you can usually go to that placement.

How does the programme help you develop your skills?

We have development weeks throughout the graduate program, where we get together as an international cohort, and focus on developing our soft skills. I believe these weeks are very important, because the company invests a lot in our leadership and social skills together as a collective.

This really improved my social skills. I’m essentially an introvert, so working closely with another engineer is extremely hard, but I learned to be comfortable working with others. I also greatly improved my presentation skills. Presentations used to be a big no-no for me – the anxiety and stress got to me, so I couldn't get my words out. Now I feel far more confident in presenting and actually bringing something to the table.

What impressed you most about the programme?

What really stands out is that from my first rotation on the Isle of Wight, I was treated as seriously as any other engineer. And on every placement people have given me the chance to prove my ability and show they can trust me.

The support and guidance from my managers was really impressive, too. In the GTC, there was a high intensity work ethic, and I needed to learn how to manage that. My manager there really guided and helped me to manage that intensity.

What level of support did you have through the programme?

The support has been extraordinary. I've never felt alone in any situation – my managers have always checked that I’m comfortable with what I’m doing. That really goes a long way and multiplies my loyalty to the company.

Also, the other graduates are a great support. They’re more like friends to me than colleagues. We've been going into places that we've never been to together, so our trust in each other has grown exponentially.

What about your life outside work?

It's hard to balance the flexibility and the mobility you need for the programme when you have a partner, so that was a very big challenge for me. But the positive side was that we got to experience different places that we wouldn't have had the opportunity to explore.

I also still have time for my personal interests, like playing guitar, playing a bit of basketball, or playing video games.

What are your ambitions for the future?

I’d love to be a leader one day – not for the power, but simply so I can help people to feel comfortable, happy, and positive. I want to be a leader who gives our engineers an environment where they can really innovate and push the boundaries further.