Graduate Engineer Q&A

In the UK, our Graduate Engineers pursue a four-year Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) accredited Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) dedicated training plan.

This Q&A session, featuring some of our Engineers who are currently working through the programme, should tell you all that you need to know.

Q What is the MPDS scheme? 

A The Monitored Professional Development Scheme (MPDS) is a four-year programme, where Engineering graduates gain practical and commercial experience, covering a variety of challenging and exciting projects. The experience prepares graduates to go on to apply for professional Chartered Engineer (CEng) or Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status.    

Q What is Incorporated Engineer (IEng) status? 

A Incorporated Engineers are recognised as professional engineers who maintain, manage and apply current and developing technology.  

In order to achieve this status, engineers will be educated to bachelor’s degree level and will have demonstrated their ability to meet competences described in the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC. 

Q What is Chartered Engineer (CEng) status? 

A Chartered Engineers develop answers to engineering problems using new or existing technologies in creative and innovative ways. They might be developing these technologies, promoting advanced designs and methods, introducing more efficient production techniques or pioneering engineering services. 

In order to achieve this status, engineers will be educated to master’s degree level and will have demonstrated their ability to meet competences described in the Engineering Council’s UK-SPEC. 

Jonathan, a Graduate Mechanical Engineer currently completing his second year of the MPDS, told us more about his experience to date:

Q What course(s) did you complete before joining the graduate scheme at Score?  

A I graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2019 with the degree of MEng Mechanical Engineering with Subsea Technology.  

Q Why did you choose Score?  

A Score is an international valve service company with an excellent reputation for developing people, excellent opportunities for career progression and opportunities to work overseas. The graduate training programme provided by Score provides development opportunities across a wide range of disciplines and through their close working relationship with the IMechE they ensure that the development activities undertaken support attainment of a professional accreditation.  

Q What does Score’s graduate scheme involve?  

A Score’s graduate scheme involves four years of rotational placements throughout the company to ensure adequate experience is gained across all areas of the business and a wide range of competencies are achieved. Rotations include both workshop and office-based placements to ensure there is a combination of practical experience as well as theoretical knowledge. Working in a number of areas of the business has allowed me to build a broad understanding of how the business operates and develop strong working relationships with colleagues from all departments which will aid me going forward.  

Q What have you enjoyed most about your time at Score?  

A I have thoroughly enjoyed the rotational placements as they have allowed me to broaden my knowledge of all the company’s services. I can transfer this knowledge to my role in the engineering department and it will aid my future development. The placements have also allowed me to build a network of contacts across the business which will support me in both strong inter-departmental collaboration and my own development.  

Q Have you gained further qualifications and accreditations whilst working at Score? 

A I am an Associate member of the IMechE and at the beginning of 2020 I became registered as a STEM ambassador. I hope to use this voluntary STEM experience to help youngsters enhance their knowledge of science and maths to provide them with a strong foothold for a future career within the industry.  

Q How has your career progressed at Score?  

A Given my short time at the company so far (2 years) and that I am only midway through the MPDS programme, I am continuing to develop my knowledge base and become a more experienced and well-rounded engineer. After the scheduled completion of my MPDS in 2023, I hope to begin progression to a more supervisory role as well as look to become a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in specific knowledge areas.  

Q What would your advice be to anyone considering applying for a graduate role at Score?  

A Candidates must be enthusiastic, have good interpersonal skills, and a keen desire to learn and develop new skills. Strong teamwork across the business is key to the company’s success and candidates must be a good team player. Given the depth of experience I’ve seen across the business,  there will always be members of the team willing to provide you with help and guidance throughout your development. 

We also caught up with David, who is in his third year of the programme:

Q What course(s) did you complete before joining the graduate scheme at Score?  

A I completed the Fastrack MEng Mechanical Engineering course at Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.  

Q Why did you choose Score? 

A I believed it would be the best company to meet my early career needs as the company really focuses on development for young engineers. I knew I wouldn’t be lost in the numbers, but instead be a valued team member in the engineering department. 

Q What did Score’s graduate scheme involve?  

A The scheme explores the different aspects of becoming a well-rounded engineer by challenging various technical and non-technical attributes such as interpersonal skills, research skills and project management – all of which are required to attain Chartership through the IMechE. 

The application of engineering knowledge gained from university (and on the job) will be required but the workshop placements really help to marry theory with practical, something I’ve found crucial when solving everyday problems. 

Mentors are assigned to help each graduate along their journey. This is key when seeking guidance with development and the quarterly and annual reports submitted to the IMechE. These help consolidate what has been learned in each quarter/year, conveying areas that have been developed well and highlighting others which may require more investment. 

Overall, the scheme has been designed to draw out the best from each graduate, adapting to suit the individual’s needs, skill gaps and capabilities. 

Q What have you enjoyed most about your time at Score? 

A The engineering team’s office culture. Enjoyment in the workplace, in my opinion, is key to a successful department and the culture at Score enables such an environment (without sounding too cliché!). We’re encouraged to move on from our mistakes, using them as a learning curve and each graduate is really empowered to have the confidence to think critically. 

Q Have you gained further qualifications and accreditations whilst working at Score, if yes, what were they? 

Not yet, however I aim to have my Chartered Accreditation by 2022/2023. 

Q How has your career progressed at Score?  

A I have become more confident in project management and my abilities as an engineer. When you’re straight out of university trying to apply theoretical knowledge to real life problems can be a struggle at times. However, the positive culture has enabled my confidence to grow and to trust my own abilities. I am going to become a delegate mentor for future Graduates on the MPDS programme. 

Q What would your advice be to anyone considering applying for a graduate role at Score?  

A If you want a tailored plan to help you adjust to working life fresh from university, whilst working towards IMechE Accredited Chartership, then Score is ideal for you. As a graduate, it couldn’t be easier to hit the ground running than it is at Score, establishing the vital characteristics required to become a successful engineer. 

The application process for our current Graduate Mechanical Engineer vacancies closes on Tuesday 18 May.