HR Case Studies
Danuka Kumaranayake, Production Engineer
When did you join the company and in what position?
In July 2008 as a Production Engineering Student. I graduated from Kingston University with a BEng (Hons) in Aerospace Engineering Design, and answered an ad on an engineer recruitment website. I worked on a special (nitride) process improvement project on a fixed term basis.
Since then, how has your career progressed?
My contract was extended three times and in January 2010 I was offered a full-time job. While I am still involved with special processes including nitriding and anodising, my work has broadened to include new product implementation, together with solving issues that arise with our current product line – air starters, oil pumps and so on. I report to the New Production Engineering Team Leader.
What gives you most job-satisfaction?
I am well supported by my team leader and manager and enjoy the team spirit within the wider department and the company as a whole. There are opportunities to learn new technology, good problem-solving systems and a robust Health & Safety culture.
I really enjoy working here and am doing my best to help Turbomeca UK achieve its targets, as well as building experience in my chosen engineering field.
Steve Jury, Apprentice
When did you join TM UK?
In September 2010, on a three-year apprenticeship. Daniel Plant and I spend two days a week on site and three days at Fareham College, where we are studying for an NVQ Level 2 in mechanical engineering. Next year we work towards an HNC and, by Year 3, will be spending all our time on-site.
Since then, how has your career progressed?
We get involved with and learn about every technical aspect of Turbomeca UK’s business. We are mentored by Jon Pickard who makes sure the other team-leaders and managers take time to explain what they do and give us the hands-on experience we need.
What gives you most job-satisfaction?
I think I’ve most enjoyed my time stripping engines in the repair centre. I love working on the engines themselves and hope, when my training is over, I can continue building experience on helicopter gas turbines..
Note: Each year we offer two apprenticeships to youngsters who can demonstrate a keen interest in mechanical engineering. After three years training, we expect to be in a position to offer them full-time jobs. Applications are invited each summer with the new intake starting in September.
Visit our Careers page for details of current vacancies at Turbomeca UK.
Alan Dean, Order Complete Manager
When did you join the company and in what position?
I joined twice in fact – in 1984 as a fitter and after a short break in 1989, as a foreman in the repair section. At the time we were working on Microturbo air starters and air producers for the BAe Jaguar fighter and Hawk trainer, the gas turbine compressor, starters and valves for C130K engines, Microturbo thrust engines (Tri-60) and small turbines for target drones.
How has your career progressed?
From the start I was keen to understand shop floor processes, and learned to assemble all Microturbo air producers and air starters as well as the associated LRU’s. I became involved in planning and spares procurement and, as we expanded to absorb the Hawk 200 and Eurofighter programmes, took on increasingly supervisory roles. By 1994 I was appointed Repairs Manager and started a two-year part-time evening HNC course on Business & Management.
We moved to Segensworth in 1999 and started work on Turbomeca products. This completely changed our business focus and led to a greater level of parental control than we had been used to. As Repair Production Manager our first challenge was to introduce the Arriel programme.
1999-2005 was a period of rapid growth for helicopters and I became responsible for Repair of Spares – oil pumps, accessories, LRU – for Turbomeca engines. When in 2009 we brought our MRO and New Production divisions into a single business unit, I was appointed Order Complete Manager for Turbomeca UK. As such I am responsible for ensuring that work across the business is completed on time and on budget.
What gives you most job-satisfaction?
I enjoy setting goals and helping my teams to achieve them. I like to see them take on a project – whether an engine build or introducing a new tool – and see it through to completion.
I also like to see good people progress through the company. You can tell at the interview stage if a candidate is prepared to put the effort in: we can work on the skills but he or she must have the will to succeed.
