Energy and Utilities Placement Student Review

Review energy KPIs, attend and contribute area and site IDEXs (meetings).
Project work - discussions with contractors, planning work, scoping design, implementing control systems, permit prepping, installation & commissioning.
Joining utilities technicians in their day to day tasks - turbine and boiler isolations, flushing of dead legs, prepping permits.
Energy optimisation - heat exchangers, steam traps, cooling system etc

To simply put it. A lot! From the day we arrived we were handed over the responsibilities from the previous students. Within a week, I was contributing to IDEXs and sending out the energy KPI report as well as getting involved with CAPEX project teams, which helped me learn the process and how different departments work together.

Troubleshooting and Computational analysis: Leaning and championing Seeq for day-to-day troubleshooting, improving troubleshooting efficiency and developing models for improved KPI targets. Learning and using PI, PIAF and Excel to implement Seeq models into KPI reports.
Project Management, organisation, time management: Completion of A3 sprint using LSS methodologies and the DMAIC process. Timely and successful completion of multiple OPEX and CAPEX projects.
Leadership: Led multiple projects throughout the placement, ensuring clear communication with cross-functional teams

All senior management are approachable and supportive. Although people were very busy, I still felt as though engineers, operators and contractors would take time out of their days to help in any way they could. This particularly helped during the first few months of the placement when I was still learning the process and understanding the working environment. I was very well supported within my department, which made coming into work very enjoyable.

It was generally great. There was some disconnect between different departments due to the site being very large and departments being spread out. That was the only negative thing to say but I've heard similar things from elsewhere so I don't think that's abnormal. Being able to get involved with charity work through Cargill cares was one of the highlights of my placement. It encourages a positive working atmosphere, which increases productivity.

I really enjoyed my placement. Outside of work I had some difficulties with family health issues, which meant that I was frequently travelling between Manchester and London. I was able to work remotely when requested and felt comfortable speaking to members in my department for support. The work that I completed was relevant to the work that I've done at university and I was able to learn loads.

Yes