Eight Students at Elliott Hudson College who took part in work experience placements at Sulzer Engineering gained invaluable insight into the industry by immersing themselves in various departments. From the shop floor to the offices, they developed essential skills, gained hands-on experience, and explored the inner workings of a leading engineering firm. The placement provided a unique opportunity to learn about cutting-edge design and testing software, understand the role of HR in a manufacturing business, and witness firsthand how different departments collaborated to produce highly engineered pumps. Beyond technical knowledge, students also built vital industry connections, setting a strong foundation for their future careers in engineering.

The students spent time in both environments at Sulzer – the shop floor and the offices. They will get to understand different roles within the company and what goes into producing a highly engineered pump within the manufacturing industry. The work experience co-ordinator gave great feedback about the students:

Rashdan Khan
“Rashdan brought great energy and enthusiasm to the placement, making a positive impact on the team. His resilience and ability to stay positive made him a joy to work with, and his understanding of mechanical principles developed rapidly. He was able to connect different engineering concepts effectively, showing a proactive approach to learning.”

Julia Lach
“Julia carried herself professionally and enhanced her understanding of the roles within Sulzer. Her exposure to project management allowed her to see firsthand how challenges are overcome in the engineering sector. Julia maintained a high level of professionalism, and her learning goals were successfully met. She is encouraged to continue developing her knowledge and confidence in the field.”

Moza Abdullah
“Moza Abdullah showcased strong independence, particularly when interpreting engineering drawings and understanding surface finishes, radii, and tolerances. Initially reserved, Moza’s confidence grew as she became more engaged with her peers, asking insightful questions. By the end of her placement, she had developed a well-rounded understanding of quality, warehouse, assembly, and testing principles. Moza’s growth was evident in her increased communication skills, and she’s encouraged to trust her abilities more as she moves forward in her career.”

Jonathan Chen
“Jonathan thrived in his independent approach to learning, often taking the initiative to understand concepts before assisting his peers. His confidence grew significantly over the placement, as he went from being reserved to actively asking questions and engaging more with his surroundings. His ability to read engineering drawings and interpret tolerances and surface finishes improved tremendously.”

Gerald Patterson
“Gerald excelled in communication, consistently asking questions and providing feedback on the learning process. His curiosity and enthusiasm for understanding engineering concepts were evident throughout the placement. Initially, he was timid, but by the end, his body language and eye contact improved significantly, reflecting his increased confidence.”

Aamna Rashid
“At first, she was quiet and hesitant, but as the placement progressed, she became more engaged, making eye contact and asking questions. By the end, she appeared more confident and involved.”

“Overall all the placement students made significant progress during their placement at Sulzer Engineering, developing key industry skills and growing in confidence,” said Miss Barrass, Work Experience Officer at Elliott Hudson College. “We are proud of the dedication they have shown and their experiences have provided them with a solid foundation for future careers in engineering.”