Welcome to the March edition of the WES newsletter and as you can probably tell, in this issue, we're not only bringing you all the usual content - we also have a special feature on apprenticeships as it's National Apprenticeship Week.
National Apprenticeship Week is a celebration of apprentices and the positive impact they have on individuals, businesses and the wider economy.
In addition to the usual WES news, events and jobs, we also have a number of case studies from our Partners, highlighting successful young women who have participated in their apprenticeship programmes and outlines the success of the programmes.
The Women's Engineering Society is committed to supporting girls and women who aspire to be in engineering, are already within it or are returning after a break. Click through the link for more information on being a WES member. It costs a pound a week and helps us to do our work to promote engineering and technology amongst women and girls.
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Have you read the WES Journal - The Woman Engineer?
Back issues of the WES journal are available here.
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Airbus Apprenticeships
Aerospace apprenticeships soar to new heights
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|  | | Beth Shallish at Broughton | |
A combination of university tuition fee increases and renewed Government support and investment have raised the profile of apprenticeships in recent years. The Government is looking at ways to increase funding support, such as through a new Apprenticeship Levy, and reach a target of 3 million apprenticeships created by 2020. The aerospace sector provides high quality schemes which are increasingly sought after.
We talk to two Airbus UK apprentices whose careers have recently launched and learn more about what their apprenticeships entail. Beth Shallish, an Undergraduate Apprentice based at the Airbus Broughton site in North Wales and Zuzanna Wnekowska, also an Undergraduate Apprentice based at Airbus' Filton site near Bristol. Click on their names to read the interviews.
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| | Zuzanna |
Recruiting the best skilled and semi-skilled people is at the heart of the Airbus strategy to develop the world's leading aircraft family. They have a range of early careers schemes which support the development of skills and experience within the UK aerospace sector. More than 550 people are currently on early careers' schemes, which include apprentices, graduates and interns.
More information
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Arup Apprenticeships
Are you up for a challenge?
An apprenticeship with Arup is an unrivalled opportunity to put your skills to the test and your imagination to work on inspiring and high profile projects.
The role of an apprentice provides the opportunity to study for an academic qualification that is approved by either the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) or Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE), while working and learning in their offices alongside respected technical professionals.
They're looking for dynamic and dedicated individuals with a desire to make the first step towards a long and fulfilling career.
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BAE Systems Apprenticeships
 22 year old Francesca McKenna from Cumbria was awarded the prestigious BAE Systems Apprentice of the Year award 2015 for her work on the Astute class submarine programme.
Francesca started at the Company in 2011 and was originally on a three year apprenticeship, but has since extended it to five years allowing her to work towards a full degree as a Risk Engineer To read more about Francesca click here.
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The IET Awards and Scholarships aimed at Apprentices
 The IET provides around £1,000,000 in awards, prizes and scholarships every year to celebrate engineering excellence and inspire the next generation of engineers and technicians. From this high range of Awards and scholarships there are specific awards aimed at apprentices. IET Apprentice of the Year: If you are in at least the second year of an IET approved apprenticeship, you can apply you will need to have made a notable contribution to your employer or department, and should be on top of your studies. We have two awards for Technicians; the IET Technician of the Year for an individual who has registered with the IET as an EngTech or ICTTech within the last two years, or the IET Armed Forces Technician, for serving members of the armed forces. To be in the running for either of these awards, you need to have made an exceptional contribution at work, and be committed to your professional development. Each winner receives £1,000 and recognition at a prestigious awards ceremony.
The IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award and Women's Engineering Society Prize (WES) recognise high-achieving engineers, who have the personality to be ambassadors for the engineering profession. The Mary George Memorial Prize for Apprentices is awarded to a similarly exceptional candidate, who is working as an apprentice or has recently completed an apprenticeship. Winners receive a cash prize, recognition at a widely publicised ceremony, and the opportunity to spend the forthcoming year attending high-profile events, meeting the people who have an influence on the future of engineering. The Engineering Horizon bursaries, which are new for 2016, are aimed at ensuring students and apprentices who have overcome obstacles or personal challenges get their chance to pursue and engineering education. Bursary holders will receive an annual award of £1,000 per year for the duration of their undergraduate degree or apprenticeship. They will also receive free IET membership during this time with their university or through their IET Approved Apprenticeship scheme. Recipients will also receive advice and information from the IET on EngTech or ICT Tech registration and also technician professional registration application fee, when they are ready to apply. To find out more about the Engineering Horizons Bursary, please visit the Engineering Horizons Bursary webpage. Applications close on 13 October 2016. Ready to apply to one of these awards? Or want to find out about the various other IET awards on offer? Visit the awards and scholarship page on the IET website: www.theiet.org/Awards
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Mars Apprenticeships
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| | Kate Baxter at the Melton Mowbray factory |
Mars UK is supporting National Apprenticeship Week this year and celebrating its apprentices all over the country. Investing more than £1 million each year in its Apprenticeship Scheme, Mars UK is committed to finding new talent and developing them at every stage of their careers.
Mars has a number of engineers featuring in the newsletter, including 24 year old Electrical and Control Reliability Technician Kate Baxter who has progressed since starting her apprenticeship with Mars, Grace Bell, an 18 year old engineering apprentice who works at Wrigleys UK and 19 year old Jacob North, also an Engineering Apprentice at Melton Mowbray for Mars Petcare.
Mars takes on up to 20 apprentices annually across the business, at its Birstall, Melton Mowbray, King's Lynn and Slough sites. When employing apprentices, Mars looks for candidates with a minimum of 5 GCSEs, including maths and English at A-C grade. More important though, are inquisitive minds, problem solving capabilities and a desire to put their knowledge into practice.
At the Petcare Care factory in Melton Mowbray, the scheme trains both mechanical and electrical engineers. During the Apprentice programme, the apprentices gain both BTEC and NVQ qualifications to ensure they develop both the theory and practical aspects of the job. Whilst the first year is spent at college full time, in the second and third years our apprentices split their time between college and the factory before moving into the factory full time in their fourth year. The following are the Apprenticeship Scheme application opening and closing dates:
- Manufacturing - Chocolate UK. 31st March - Friday 6th May
- Engineering - Chocolate. Monday 14th March - Monday 11th April
- Manufacturing and Engineering - Petcare. 18th January - 22nd April
- Engineering and Production - Wrigley's. Open now - Monday 21st March
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SSE Systems Apprenticeships
Energy giant seeks local trainees & apprentices
 Leading energy firm SSE invites you to apply for our Apprenticeship or Trainee Engineer Programmes, as the deadline for applications approaches. The company, with a series of depots, wind farms and power stations across the UK is calling for motivated, enthusiastic individuals to apply for its industry leading trainee schemes before the deadlines pass on 27th March.
Charlene Cotter, who is leading SSE's recruitment drive said: "We believe our people are our most important asset. We also believe in developing our employees to get the best from them, building up talent from within. Our trainee roles are a fantastic route into a highly skilled and varied career with us where successful recruits benefit from some of the best training and development in the industry.
"This year alone SSE will recruit over 150 Apprentices and Trainee Engineers across the UK, investing an average of £80,000 per apprentice so I would urge anyone who is interested in an exciting career in the energy industry to apply via our careers website www.sse.com/careers."
SSE trainees help maintain the 205,000 km of SSE's power lines across its distribution and transmission networks and its power stations, wind farms and hydro projects as well as carrying out commercial or domestic electrical work. SSE trainees will benefit from work experience across the business combined with academic training.
Hear from our Apprentices & Technical Staff Trainees from previous years:
WES is currently advertising two vacancies for SSE:
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Basingstoke College of Technology Apprenticeship Event
 On 7th March, Eluceo attended Basingstoke College of Technology's Apprenticeship Event to promote both Eluceo and WES. We spoke to a range of young people from schools and colleges to help them understand the value of undertaking vocational work and working specifically in the Engineering sector.
Along with our online platform at www.eluceoeducation.org Eluceo attends events such as school career days to help students understand the career options available to them, and how their current skills and qualifications will complement their future employment. In conjunction with WES, we are in the process of building the Eluceo Network, an online network of companies where young people in school or out of school can search for opportunities, e.g. work experience, apprenticeships, mentoring, taster sessions etc. to learn about different industries. If your organisation would like to be involved, please email us at enquiries@euceoeducation.org.
As a social enterprise the profits we make are used to support students in the form of bursaries and scholarships, and education-related charities nominated by Eluceo. |
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Regional Union Learning Rep Annual Conference 2016
There is still a chance to register for the Regional Union Learning Rep Annual Conference 2016 - Yorkshire and The Humber on Friday 18th March in Sheffield.
The theme will be "Women into Science and Engineering". In recognition of the need for collaboration between stakeholders in delivering high quality apprenticeships, we would also like to extend the invitation to the employer of any ULR who will be attending.
Liz Rees, Director of unionlearn, will open the conference with a report on the future direction of unionlearn. We are also very pleased to be able to confirm the following speakers:
- Siobhan Endean, National Equality Officer of Unite
- Kerry Featherstone, Head of Operations at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre's Training Centre
- Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham and Shadow Minister for Preventing Abuse and Domestic Violence
There will also be two workshops covering:
- Quality Apprenticeships - the future (including the Employers Apprenticeship Levy and the Apprenticeship Charter)
- Traineeships
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If you're not quite ready for an apprenticeship...
 Have you considered a summer school?
WES has a list of 2016 summer schools for young budding engineers that you can find here.
If you run a summer school (or know of one) that we haven't mentioned, please do get in touch and we'll add it to our list!
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And here's the rest of the WES News...
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British Science Association's Media Fellowship Scheme
Applications close this Friday for the British Science Association's Media Fellowship
scheme
To apply for 2016's placements, please fill out the online application form by the 18th March here.
The Media Fellowships provide a unique opportunity for practising scientists, clinicians and engineers to spend two to six weeks working at the heart of a media outlet such as the Guardian, BBC Breakfast or the Londonist.
Every year up to ten Media Fellows are mentored by professional journalists and learn how the media operates and reports on science, how to communicate with the media and to engage the wider public with science through the media.
After their media placement Fellows attend the British Science Festival in September, which provides an opportunity to gain valuable experience working alongside a range of media organisations from all over the UK in our dedicated Press Centre. The Festival also offers opportunities to learn from a wide range of public engagement activities and network with academics, journalists and science communicators.
Any queries, please e-mail mediafellows@britishscienceassociation.org
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The Royal Photographic Society - International Images for Science Competition 2016
Entries are now being accepted for the International Images for Science Competition 2016. The competition is organised by The Royal Photographic Society (RPS) and supported by Siemens as part of the Curiosity Project, a three-year programme which aims to engage young people with science and engineering.
Entrants are required to take a visually appealing picture that tells a science story. The Top 100 entries will be chosen by an expert panel to be exhibited at the British Science Festival in Swansea in September 2016 and then across the UK.
 "We want as many people as possible to enter this competition - school or college students, scientists, photojournalists, artists - everyone!" says RPS coordinator, Gary Evans, "Entrants can have fancy equipment or use a smartphone, it doesn't matter. The important point is to capture your view of science in a way that tells a story to the average person."
From the 100 exhibition images, five prizes will be awarded:
- Gold Award (Age 26 and Over): £1000 and an RPS Gold Medal
- Silver Award (Age 26 and Over): £750 and an RPS Silver Medal
- Bronze Award (Age 26 and Over): £500 and an RPS Bronze Medal
- Gold Award (Age 18-25): £750 and an RPS Gold Medal
- Gold Award (Age 17 and under): £500 towards photography equipment and an RPS Gold Medal
 The competition is free to enter, simply register online at rps-science.org and upload your images to the web site.
CLOSING DATE: 1 MAY 2016.
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Easter Holiday Creative STEAM Workshops in Brighton & Horsham
Dates: 29th March to 8th April
Location: Brighton & Horsham
Recommend Ages: 6-14
Description: Join Curiosity Hub over the Easter holidays for creative, fun and educational STEAM workshops!
Sessions include: Lego Robotics, Stop-motion Animation, Computer Programming in Minecraft EDU, Digital Music with Sonic Pi, Creating Computer Games, Mobile App Design and the Chocolate Laboratory!
About Us: Curiosity Hub is a Brighton-based not-for-profit organisation providing workshops to support STEAM education for everyone.
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Glasgow University Engineering Society: FemEng in Rwanda
Glasgow University's FemEng group (a WES student group) has an exciting new venture being undertaken this year. FemEng is a group aimed at promoting women in STEM, particularly engineering, and providing a network of support from school-age to post-graduation level and beyond.
In 2016 they are working together with the University of Rwanda in order to perform this same work in Rwanda, alongside fellow women in engineering over there. They will spend time engaging schoolchildren with workshops and presentations, whilst also using the time to build up the women in engineering groups in Rwanda too. Not only will this experience be novel for the girls from Glasgow, but they have been reassured by various members of the Rwandan Government and the University of Rwanda, in addition to multiple parties in Scotland, that this is an important initiative which will have a significant impact on all those involved.
If you would be interested to learn more about the project, please email femengrwanda@gmail.com, and check out their blog at femengrwanda.wordpress.com. They are currently on the lookout for sponsors and resources, which would give your company publicity for the duration of this project, therefore if you think you could help out in some way they would appreciate any contact.
The project is launching on 14 April at the University, so your involvement would also guarantee you a chance to publicise at this high-profile event. |
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National Engineering & Construction Recruitment Exhibition
If you're looking for a new challenge, don't miss the opportunity to meet recruiters from the industry's top employers at the National Engineering & Construction Recruitment Exhibition on 22 & 23 April at the NEC, Birmingham.
The exhibition also incorporates the Women in Engineering forum on Friday 22 April which offers women at all stages of their career the chance to share experiences, make new contacts, and hear about exciting new vacancies.
The forum will begin with presentations from two inspiring female engineers, followed by a networking lunch to which visitors are welcome, giving them the opportunity to speak informally to both the speaker and a host of engineering professionals, who will be on hand as facilitators.
On both days of the Exhibition, a range of companies from across the globe will be actively recruiting engineers of all levels, from recent graduates looking for their first step on the career ladder, to experienced professionals seeking a new challenge.
You will also find invaluable careers advice and job-hunting tools to help you get that new role, from CV and interview advice to psychometric testing practice and inspirational seminars.
For more information about the exhibition and to register for your free ticket, please visit engineerjobs.co.uk.
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The EBacc Debate needs your signature to reach Parliament
The plans for a new EBacc published by the Department for Education will force creative subjects out of reach for many secondary school pupils.To secure the EBacc, you will need to study a minimum of between seven and nine GCSEs. With the average number of GCSEs being taken equalling eight, this leaves little if any room for art, dance, design, drama and music. This is despite their importance as subjects in their own right and the £84bn a year they contribute to the UK economy.
So please - if you haven't already - sign the new petition to help keep creative subjects in our schools and ask your friends, family and colleagues to do the same.
To sign the petition click here. |
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Please can you help with Emily's Returnships Research?
Alison Mackay, an undergraduate student at Glasgow Caledonian University, is currently conducting research into employer attitudes to women returners within the engineering sector. She has created a short questionnaire which only takes about 10 minutes to complete.
If you could find a few minutes to help Alison with this piece of work by filling in the questionnaire, forwarding it on to your networks...or both she would be very grateful
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3rd Annual STEMtech Conference - June 2016
 The 3rd Annual STEMtech Conference & Showcase takes place at the International Centre, Telford on13th and 14th June 2016.
Our annual conference is just one way we are bringing together industry, policy makers and educators to look at what is being done already and debate what more needs to be done going forward.
For more information and to book your tickets visit the website here.
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SWE WE Europe Annual Conference - May 2016 Madrid
The Society of Women Engineers will host their 2nd WE Europe Annual Conference, WE Europe: Reach Out to Reach Up on 11th-13th May, 2016 at College of Architects of Madrid. The annual European conference will feature presenters from a variety of countries with the goal of providing women engineers in Europe, Middle East & Africa regions content tailored to their needs. Education tracks will include: Career and Life Transitions, Inclusion and Cultural Awareness, Innovation and Technology, Entrepreurship and Business, Management and Strategy.
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Calling all prospective mentors...
 MentorSET, WES' mentoring scheme for women in STEM is currently looking for new mentors. Mentoring is a great way of providing development opportunities for mentors, not just the mentees as well as great personal satisfaction. Being a mentor can improve your leadership skills and enable you to learn from alternative approaches and different ways of thinking. It can be challenging, inspiring and enlightening.
So if you think you have the skills and can see the benefit that mentoring can do, please do get in touch and consider joining here.
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Save the Date for Educated Yorkshire 2016
 Educated Yorkshire 2016 (EY16) builds on the success of EY15 which was held at Bradford College last November.
This year's event will be held on Thursday 10th November at Centenary Pavilion, Elland Road, Leeds.
EY15 brought in around 300 delegates - 79% overall were decision makers from schools, colleges and universities. 83% overall were schools, colleges and universities.
EY16 is bigger, better and incorporates even more CPD from peer learning.
We have 3 seminar halls, around 60 exhibition stands - all on one level, under one roof in one day. We are building on our delegate numbers this year and aiming for at least 500 delegates across the day as demand for this year's conference is very high.
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Save the Date: WES Annual Conference 22nd April 2016
 What: WES Annual Conference
When: 22nd April 2016
Where: IET, Savoy Place in London
Why: This year's theme is CPD, so why not come along and improve yourself; network and take in the newly refurbished Savoy Place
Who: Anyone with an interest in women working in engineering is invited to register.
For further updates and further information please check the website here.
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We will be despatching our National Women in Engineering
 Day packs in around a week's time now so if you haven't already requested yours yet - please do!  START PLANNING YOUR EVENT NOW!
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WES Corporates News:
WES has yet another new Partner this month with the addition of Konica Minolta. We're extremely excited to welcome them as Company Members and look forward to working with them in the coming year.
We would like to thank all our new and renewing Partners sincerely for their continuing support.
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WES Partners and Sponsors
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To add your event or news item to our newsletter please provide a short description with a hyperlink to further details and an image or logo. Send them to the WES Office.
Don't forget to forward our enewsletter to your friends and contacts, male or female, and help to inspire more young women to consider engineering and technology as a career.
With good wishes
the e-News team.
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Imperial College Events in March
01 - 24/03/2016
Imperial College London has a number of interesting events taking place in March and beyond.
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STEAM Workshops for the Easter Holidays
28/03 - 8/4/2016
Curiosity Hub in Brighton and Horsham is holding STEAM workshops
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Career Development for Women in STEM
21/04/2016
Award winning development programme - discounted places for WES members
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WES Annual Conference
22/04/2016
WES' annual conference focusses on CPD this year and takes place at the newly refurbished Savoy Place in London
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National Engineering & Construction Recruitment Exhibition
22-23/04/2016
Meet recruiters, make contacts, share experiences and find out about vacancies. NEC Birmingham
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Women Engineers in the Great War and After
23/04/2016
One day public engagement event at the Dana Centre, Science Museum, London.
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Manufactured Yorkshire 2016
11/05/2016
The only event designed for Yorkshire Manufacturers at the Centenary Pavillion Suite in Leeds.
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SWE 2nd WE Annual Europe Conference
11 - 13/05/2016
The 2nd WE Annual Europe conference in Madrid held by the Society of Women Engineers
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Next Generation Women Leaders Event in Paris
12/05/2016 - 14/05/2016
A three day workshop for talented women held by McKinsey & Company
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STEMtech Conference
13 - 14/06/2016
The STEMtech conference and exhibition will be held at Telford.
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National Women in Engineering Day
23/06/2016
With events across the UK and beyond, please see the full line up at www.nwed.org.uk
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International Conference TMM 2016
06 -08/10/2016
The XII International Conference on the Theory of Machines and Mechanisms takes place in the Czech Republic
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Educated Yorkshire
10/11/2016
Taking place at Leeds this year, around 300 delegates will come to the event
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WES Student Conference 2016
18 -19/11/2016
The annual WES student conference taking place at Aston University
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WES Event Partners
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Mechanical Engineering Apprentice Technician
Imperial College, London
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SSE Trainee Engineer Programme
Nationwide, SSE
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SSE Apprenticeships
Programme
Nationwide, SSE
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Finning Service Engineer Apprentice
Nationwide, Finning
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Train Engineering Apprenticeships
Across the network, Southern Railway
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Production Manager
Brierley Hill, Eaton
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HR Manager
Doncaster, Eaton
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Consultant Risk Engineer
Windsor, Berkshire. FM Global
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Finance, Model Risk Management Associate
London, Goldman Sachs
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Algorithmic IP Engineer
High Wycombe, Altera
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Software Engineer DSP Builder
High Wycombe, Altera
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Graduate Opportunities
UK Wide, Arup
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Product Supply - Internships and Placements UK
P&G across sites in Seaton Delaval or Bournemouth
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Product Supply - Internships and Placements UK & Ireland
P&G across sites in UK and Ireland
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