At Corruseal, we believe that a capable workforce is about more than technical expertise. It is about building a connected team where people are supported to learn, contribute, ask questions, solve problems and grow. That is why growth, guidance, mentoring and development are an important part of how we work – and why our 2-year long Engineers in Training (EIT) Programme is an investment not only in young engineers, but in the future of our business.
University provides engineering graduates with a strong technical foundation. But there is a significant difference between understanding a principle in theory and applying it to a real-world challenge.
Our EIT Programme gives young engineers the opportunity to bridge that gap. Over two years, EITs become actively involved in Kaizens and improvement projects, gaining practical experience in a working industrial environment. They have the opportunity to engage directly with equipment and processes, and apply the formulae and principles they learned at university to challenges that have a real impact on the business.
Each EIT is assigned specific projects designed to deliver measurable benefits. Their progress and outcomes can be assessed against factors including cost benefit, OTIF, manpower, manhours, budget and safety.
This means that development is not simply about learning for learning’s sake. Our EITs are learning while contributing to the ongoing improvement of Corruseal.
The EIT Programme is closely aligned with Corruseal’s Lean journey and encourages young engineers to look critically at how things are done and where improvements can be made. A key part of this approach is understanding and applying clear standards:
• What is done here?
• What guides the work?
• How do we confirm it is done correctly?
Having clear standards gives everyone a common reference point. It helps ensure that equipment and processes operate according to agreed requirements and reduces the risk of errors.
It also creates a healthier approach to mistakes. When a clear standard exists, the focus can move away from blame and towards understanding what happened and why, identify opportunities to improve the process, work to prevent the same problem from happening again, and find better ways of doing things.
An especially valuable part of the programme is the opportunity for EITs to present their projects and progress to Corruseal’s senior executives each week. For young engineers at the beginning of their careers, this provides an opportunity to engage directly with experienced business leaders and to develop skills that go beyond their technical training.
They need to explain what they are doing, demonstrate their progress, respond to questions and consider how their project contributes to the wider business. It can be challenging – but it is also an opportunity to build confidence and develop presentation and communication skills in a supportive environment.
These sessions are not designed to discourage or catch EITs out. They are intended to support, guide and correct them as they work through their projects.
And because the projects are real, the conversations are real too. Questions can lead to new thinking, feedback can change an approach, and a technical solution can be considered in the context of cost, productivity, safety or the needs of the wider business.
Hands-on experience is only one part of development. Each EIT follows a structured growth plan, with formal reviews every three months.
These reviews provide an opportunity to discuss progress, identify areas where additional development or support may be needed, and recognise strong performance.
Development isn’t always about identifying something that needs fixing. It is equally important to recognise when someone is doing well.
Sometimes the most valuable feedback can simply be: “Well done – keep it up.”
By combining practical experience, mentoring, feedback and regular reviews, the programme aims to give young engineers a strong foundation on which to build their careers.
Ultimately, the EIT Programme reflects a broader Corruseal belief: our people are our greatest priority because they are the foundation of our success.
Developing people is not simply about preparing them for their next career step. It is about giving them the confidence, experience and support to make a meaningful contribution today.
Our EITs are not simply observers or trainees on the sidelines. They are involved in projects, challenged to improve the way we work, encouraged to present their ideas and given the opportunity to learn from the people around them.
That combination of learning, practical experience and responsibility benefits both the individual and the business.
By investing in young engineering talent, Corruseal is not only developing engineers. We are developing problem-solvers, innovators and future leaders – and strengthening the business for the years ahead.
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