RHB Partnership was pleased to recently host Spencer Briar, a Year 13 Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma in Engineering pupil at Brockenhurst College for some work experience.
This is what he had to say about the time spent with the team:
What skills or knowledge do you feel you gained during your work experience?
During my work experience with RHB, I learnt about some of the basic skills a Mechanical Engineer requires and gained a deeper understanding of what the role entails.
I researched Air and Ground Source Heat Pumps, understanding their application and associated advantages and disadvantages, and calculated ventilation flow rates in high-end apartments including implementing MVHR and basic extract systems.
I also gained valuable skills using several CAD packages, including TAS and Hevacomp.
An experienced CAD technician took me through a 3D modelling software called REVIT - the sheer detail and complexity were incredible and made the building come to life.
It was great that the team consistently kept me interested and involved.
Were there any challenges you encountered, if so, how did you overcome them?
There were several challenges I encountered when using the complex CAD packages (TAS and Hevacomp) However, I was provided with a helpful handout which I could refer to when I needed some assistance.
I was also very lucky to have a great team to work with in the Mechanical Engineering department who could assist me when necessary.
In what ways did the work experience align with your career goals or expectations?
This work experience gave me a greater understanding of what a Mechanical Engineer does in their day-to-day working life. This has persuaded me to apply for a Mechanical Engineering degree at university to pursue this career.
My expectations aligned with the work that a Mechanical Engineer ensures, however, several things surprised me including the complexity of the software that was used for calculating heat losses and undertaking energy studies as well as the coordination required between disciplines. This enabled me to appreciate the skills required for such a role.
What aspects of the work environment or company culture did you find most beneficial during your time here?
I found that the work environment at RHB was extremely welcoming and enthusiastic. During the week I had several people politely come up to me every day and introduce themselves and further ask about my career goals and how I am to achieve them.
I want to say a huge thank you to everyone at RHB for allowing me to gain a valuable week of work experience.
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