The Placement at VauxhallVauxhall offers a 12 month industrial placement (August 2017 - August 2018) as an Environmental Undergraduate at the Ellesmere Port plant in Cheshire, ‘The Home of the Astra’. The company is officially certified by the Top Employers Institute and has received the Investors in People Gold award which recognises the company’s focus on its people. Vauxhall is one of 12 brands that make up the American multinational corporation General Motors which spans across 6 continents producing vehicles in 37 countries. This placement offers a competitive salary of £16,500 and the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience with an industry leading company. In addition, the successful undergraduate will have the opportunity to become a STEM Ambassador and experience a week working on the production line.

Key Role Responsibilities

Environmental Support the Environmental Team to ensure compliance with Environmental

Requirements. Assist with the development of the Environmental Management System (ISO 14001), to

include work on aspects / impacts register, legal register, internal audits, communications, document control and procedures.

Help to manage, train and support the team of Environmental Representatives. Assist with collecting environmental data, tracking environmental action plans and

writing environmental reports.

Communications Implement environmental communication material. Improve environmental training material. Monitor and measure environmental targets and feedback to groups via newsletters.

Biodiversity Conduct wildlife surveys. Support with the Wildlife Habitat Council Certification.

2017/2018 Industrial Placement (12 Months) Environmental Undergraduate– Ellesmere Port, Cheshire

The successful undergraduate will increase their understanding of how environmental issues are managed in the automotive industry, as well as gain valuable experience in the manufacturing environment. They will develop a good understanding of a functioning environmental management system which has been certified to ISO 14001. The successful candidate will also be given an opportunity to use their initiative and put forward new ideas to improve environmental performance. Over the year various projects will be required to be carried out (both group and individual) with appropriate levels of support given to ensure the undergraduate gains maximum development.

Case Study – Emma Brady, University of LeedsCurrently on placement is Emma Brady, a BSc Geography student from the University of Leeds. “Starting at Vauxhall was a complete eye opener as I had never experienced any form of manufacturing before. I knew very little about the process that goes into making today’s vehicles and even less about the efforts that go on to ensure the process meets environmental requirements. This placement has increased my awareness and understanding of the complex and lengthy car manufacturing process that goes on behind the scenes. Every day I am exposed to this new and exciting environment, carrying out my job role in close proximity to the hi-tech machinery and robotics. It’s certainly not just your basic office job”

The Role“The role allows you to consider the environment through a new perspective previously untouched during my degree. As an example, I have paid particular attention to the global warming potential of air conditioning units across the plant, ensuring leak tests are conducted on time in order to identify and amend any escaping fluorinated gases. I have subsequently been able to make use of my environmental knowledge gained through university and apply it to an industrial setting in ways I would have never previously considered.““Every day at Vauxhall is different with the role being heavily project based. My most recent project consisted of aboveground and underground tank integrity checks to ensure the contents are protected and stored effectively. This is critical to prevent the release of the likes of acids, alkalis and oils to the land and water courses. I am also given smaller wide ranging tasks on a regular basis and am responsible for the plant’s monthly environmental communication in which I write up and distribute a brief on differing environmental topics. Other monthly tasks include analysing data to assess progress towards environmental targets and assisting with internal audits to ensure the units are complying with environmental requirements e.g. the separation of hazardous waste from non-hazardous waste. Every week I am required to take meeting minutes for the plant’s environmental meeting and participate in conference calls to discuss environmental matters with plants across Europe. On a regular basis I also head to the woods to survey biodiversity, checking the ground for footprints and identifying the animals around the site. This task is crucial to support with the Wildlife Habitat Council Certification.”

Opportunities“While being on placement I have been given the opportunity to become a STEM ambassador. This entails visiting schools to educate, engage through games and encourage children to take up Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths subjects. As an ambassador I

have been able to develop my presentation and communication skills, as well as my ability to interact with children. On occasion, charities

and school groups come to the plant to experience manufacturing first-hand. Most recently I was involved in a visit from Barnados where I presented information about the plant and production process, as well as trained a group of children to work on a mock production line. Such events allow me to develop my skills further and add to my CV. Throughout the year Vauxhall also send the undergraduates

on CSR days, provide them with training courses and assign them special group projects allowing personal development and skill improvement. Currently we are working together to create a production video to show the Astra being manufactured from start to finish. This video is to be used in STEM visit presentations.”

Line Experience “Andon Week was an exciting opportunity. I was given the chance to get hands on with the Vauxhall Astra. Each undergraduate was allocated to a different line in General Assembly, the final stage before the car is complete and driven off the line. I got to experience a variety of roles, fitting windscreen wipers, window sealers and windscreen wash tubing using a variety of tooling e.g. QCOS Tools. We also spent time with Team Leaders and Supervisors to understand their role and the production process in general. Over the week I learnt about the importance of standardisation and ensuring the same method is used on every single car to retain a high standard. At the end of the week we presented what we had learnt to our supervisors and managers, as well as received a small gift and a certificate.”

Role RequirementsRequired Skills

Knowledge of Environmental Management and legislation (desirable).

Ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of people.

Planning and organising. Ability to use own initiative. Computer literate.

ApplicationThe application is entirely online. Applicants must be on track for a 2:1 and ideally have an interest in the environment. Applications will no longer be accepted after 31st December 2016. Candidates aren’t selected on a first come first served basis so those who apply close to this deadline will not be at a disadvantage. Apply online at:

www.vauxhall.co.uk/careers

Preferred Area of Study Geography Environmental Studies Environmental Management

Application ProcessThe application is split into 4 stages, the first being an online application form about yourself and why you would like to work for Vauxhall. Following this application you are required to take a psychometric test. If successful, you will pass to the next stage where you will answer competency based questions. Those who make it to the final stage will be invited to Ellesmere Port for an assessment centre.

Starting the Application Process

Deadline: 31st December 2016Apply Online: www.vauxhall.co.uk/careers

Go to the Vauxhall careers website and click ‘Apply Now’ on

the ‘Undergraduate’

Create a Login and click ‘Careers Search’ – The link to the application is located at the

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