In 2024, Michell Bearings welcomed three Graduate Engineers, Jamie, Joseph, and Eliot, as part of the British Engines Graduate Scheme. Since joining In April 2024, Joseph and Eliot have rotated through multiple departments. Joseph has worked in Design, Production Engineering, Quality Management, and Customer Support and is now in Repair & Service, while Eliot is in Quality Management after experience in Design, Operations, and Production Engineering. Jamie, who joined in July 2024, is currently in Purchasing and will soon transition to Production Engineering, having also worked in Design and Operations.

We recently caught up with the graduates to hear about what inspired them to join the scheme and how the department rotation has been instrumental towards their development. Join us as they share their experiences working on challenging yet exciting projects, the training opportunities available to them, and how the support from Michell Bearings is guiding them towards their shared goal of achieving chartership.

How did your journey begin?

Jamie: I studied Engineering at Newcastle University and saw the job advert as I was coming to the end of my degree. I applied, landed an interview and was offered the role, subject to receiving a2.1 grade, or higher.

Joseph: I was Jamie’s course mate. While he went on to pursue his master’s, I decided to jump straight into work, joining a start-up in the hydrogen industry. I felt I needed a balance of practical experience and learning, so when I saw the Michell Bearings graduate scheme with its rotation scheme, I decided to apply right away.

Eliot: It’s a little bit different for me, I graduated in Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster University in 2022 and went on to work at a technology company but felt the role wasn’t my best fit. I started looking at other jobs back home in Newcastle and this one caught my eye.

As part of the graduate scheme, you rotate through different departments and roles. How has this experience broadened your skillset?

Jamie: It’s been great. I’ve enjoyed getting hands-on experience across the entire manufacturing process. From designing, to seeing the final products take shape on the shop floor, it really brings the whole process to life. I particularly enjoy shadowing people on the shop floor, they’re always open to answer my questions.

Joseph: It’s taught me how an engineering business operates from start to finish, especially the manufacturing side, which I feel university lacked. I haven’t yet started any customer-facing roles, but so far, it’s helped broaden my Computer Aided Design (CAD) design skills and deepen my understanding of best practices when working with bearings.

Eliot: The rotation has been great for understanding the different skills everyone in the company has and how they all connect. Without the rotations, you wouldn’t truly appreciate what others are doing alongside you or the challenges they face.

What is the most valuable skill or knowledge you’ve gained and how has it helped you in your work?

Jamie: The most valuable skill I’ve gained so far is learning how to apply the knowledge I acquired at university in a real-world work environment. My degree wasn’t very hands on due to COVID, so it’s been great to see some of the concepts I learned being applied in practice.

Joseph: The most valuable skill I’ve gained is applying the CAD knowledge I learned at university in a work setting. It’s been incredibly valuable to see that knowledge put into practice within the design department, helping me develop a deeper understanding of the design process.

Eliot: The most valuable skill I’ve gained is learning the manufacturing techniques on the shop floor. I didn’t know much about a lot of these processes before getting hands on experience. Being able to see and be a part of it all has really opened my eyes and expanded my understanding.

Have you had the opportunity to work on any exciting or challenging projects? What did you learn from the experience?

Jamie: I worked on a research and development project for a bearing designed for a ship, we had to determine whether the cooler within the bearing could withstand an explosion in the sea. It was an interesting challenge.

Joseph: I was involved in a major upgrade project for our final assembly area on the factory floor, this included implementing 3D software for the fitters and introducing more efficient sorting systems. It was rewarding to see my work come to life and it’s been great to track its progress.

Eliot: Within my first couple of months, I was given a challenging yet exciting project. I had to take an existing design and resize it to meet a customer’s specifications, while ensuring everything they wanted would fit into the smaller design. It was a great experience as it gave me insight into the procedures involved in managing a design project from start to finish.

How has Michell Bearings supported your development as a graduate, through training, mentorship or hands-on experience?

Jamie: I would say Michell Bearings has been incredibly supportive of our professional development scheme, providing us with mentorship, expertise, and the necessary funding. This support has made the next stage of our career development much more straightforward.

Joseph: The program really helps with our development by giving us the chance to experience different departments, which broadens our skill set as engineers. We’ve also been given the opportunity to take part in formal training courses, like ISO (International Standards) and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health awareness, to build on our knowledge further.

Eliot: Michell Bearings has been a great support in my development as a graduate. The hands-on experience I’ve gained in different departments has been invaluable, helping me understand how everything fits together in the business. On top of that, the mentorship I’ve received has been crucial in guiding me through any challenges I’ve faced.

What are your future career goals and ambitions?

Jamie: I would say in the short term, it is to keep learning and developing my skills and knowledge within the bearing industry, a bit further down the line I’d say the chartership through the professional development scheme is a massive goal for me.

Joseph: Similarly, chartership is a big milestone I’m working towards. It would be a huge achievement. In addition to that, I’d like to continue growing within the company, taking on more responsibilities and eventually moving into a leadership role.

Eliot: Chartership is a key goal for me too. Beyond that, I’m keen to continue to expand my expertise in different areas of engineering, with the aim of contributing to bigger, more complex projects.

What advice would you give to future graduates looking to join Michell Bearings?

Jamie: I’d say to be open minded and proactive. The graduate scheme offers plenty of opportunities to grow and learn across different departments. Don’t be afraid to ask lots of questions and really get involved, mistakes are part of the learning process – so embrace them and use them to improve.

Joseph: Getting fully involved in every department is key. Be proactive, talk to people and don’t just stay under the radar. The team at Michell Bearings are friendly and supportive, so make the most of that and don’t hesitate to reach out.

Eliot: Whether you’re still at university or nearing the end of your degree, make sure you enjoy the experience and take in as much knowledge as possible. The workload in a graduate role is exciting but challenging, so the broader your skill set before you start, the better prepared you’ll be.

Interested in a graduate role or placement? Register your interest here.