Institution news
Last year, the Institution ran the ‘All I Want for Christmas’ Learning and Development competition, offering members the opportunity to win a free training course. All entrants had to do was submit their three continuing professional development (CPD) objectives for 2015.
A total of 238 entries were received, and, shortly before Christmas, two lucky competition winners were announced – Laura Bailey, of Lifescan Scotland, being one of them.
Following the completion of her training course, the Institution spoke to Laura to find out what she had gained from her experience, as well as her ongoing career development plans.
Please tell us a little about yourself.
“I have a background in Plastics Engineering and Biomedical Engineering Design and Manufacturing. I’m a qualified Lead Auditor, Certified Quality Engineer and a Six Sigma Black Belt, and in 2012 I became a Chartered Engineer with the Institution. When not working on my day job, I enjoy playing the trombone in several different bands, home brewing, and growing vegetables in my allotment.”
Can you describe your work, your role and your priorities in the engineering industry? If possible, could you tell us of any projects you are working on at the moment?
“I currently work as a Senior Supplier Quality Engineer for plastics commodities in a major medical device company. This role includes qualifying new suppliers, proactively partnering with suppliers to ensure they have robust products and highly capable manufacturing processes in place, ensuring suppliers meet all requirements when implementing continuous improvement and cost reduction activities, and working with suppliers to solve any problems that may arise. I absolutely love inspiring people to become engineers, especially women, who make natural engineers with their love of solving problems - and I do so by participating in STEM ambassador activities.”
Which training programme did the Institution offer you?
“The New Engineering Management Programme.”
What was your experience of this training?
“It was a fabulous course and I was ‘buzzing’ after it! Penny Taylor is an excellent instructor who has a lot of experience and understanding of the engineering industry and the hurdles that engineers becoming managers have to overcome. She included lots of ‘real life’ case studies and fully involved everyone in the course.”
What did you gain from it? How did the training help you do your job better?
“I definitely feel more confident in goal setting and creating a vision. I also really loved learning about leadership styles, action centred leadership, and the Nine Essential Elements for great team performance. I really feel like I now have a great foundation to start managing people and building a team.”
What motivated you to participate in the competition?
“The Institution's courses always look very well thought out and of extremely good value. I am extremely passionate about keeping up to date in the industry and I enjoy learning new things all the time, so I thought I had nothing to lose by entering. I was very excited when I found out I had won!”
Can you remind us what your CPD objectives were for 2015?
“I have been a supervisor in the past and enjoyed people management. However, I have never wanted to go into a pure management track, preferring ultimately to become a Principal Engineer or Engineering Fellow; to be able to lead and guide other engineers through technical projects and careers while also being able to continue to promote engineering and support developing engineers in the company. So my main CPD objective for 2015 was to start to undertake coursework or self-study work that allowed me to start to build the framework for becoming an engineering leader.”
Why do you think you were chosen as our winner?
“I must have presented my case very well! Ultimately, it must have been because my objectives fall in line with the Institution's core mission for continual development and promoting engineering - and you had a course that met my needs.”
What are your career development plans going forward?
“Short term, I would like to build upon this training and mentor other engineers to help develop better goals and create personal and team visions to help create a more successful team. Longer term, I would like to build even further upon this foundation and help other engineers grow professionally and pass on the tools to make them more successful. I am going to aim to take on roles and tasks that will help me achieve this - and when time and funding permit, I’d like to continue to take further courses in this area.”
What training would you like to undertake with the Institution in the future?
“I am quite interested in the courses that lead to the CMI Level 3 certificate in first line management.”
View our training courses to find out about the Institution’s Engineering Management Programme and how to give your engineering career the edge.