Case study: Engineering Bulgaria

William Hughes Ltd took on Engineering student Paul Bennett at their production plant in Bulgaria.

Paul was tasked to analyse and develop the plant’s existing database used to monitor production processes. The application that Paul developed has enabled the company to focus on efficiency improvements, training requirements, and profit enhancements.

Paul is a very talented young engineer who was able to bring a fresh approach to the project. His new application will make it easier to access and use the information. We are already able to use the application to help us make better management decisions.
Bruce Manning, Training Manager at William Hughes

I thought a work placement abroad would increase my employability prospects by showing that I have put the effort into getting the placement, as well as it giving me work skills on the placement itself.

Working abroad looks great on your CV and gives you lots to talk about in your job interviews. The skills I gained on the placement included improved communication skills, greater self-confidence, improved presentation skills and a better understanding of a working business. I also got to solve real life problems on site.

The placement gave me a much better idea of what careers I wanted to pursue after I graduate. It also gave me confidence to apply for jobs based abroad or with compulsory overseas placements.

I strongly recommend anyone to go on a placement abroad, the more unfamiliar the place the better. It gives you a range of skills which you would not gain on placements in the UK, and is very attractive to future employers. Before my placement I was fairly nervous having never done anything like it before, however by the end I did not want to leave.
Paul Bennett