Six months into post, Orrin and Scott have already designed and developed a new water purification prototype. Both are firmly involved in the running of the business, too, representing PWI at high profile meetings with clients, including one with the Portuguese government.
“I get the guys involved to broaden their experience,” says David. “If something in a meeting sparks an idea, they find opportunities to do things digitally and differently to how I’d approach it.”
Attracted by the opportunity to work on cutting edge technology both graduates have flourished since starting their placements.
“I’m gaining valuable experience in a mechanical engineering role,” says Orrin. “As well as doing CAD work, I work on a wide range of international projects as well as speaking with suppliers.
“It’s rare to be able to work on open projects with hardly any boundaries, too, which you get in the start-up setting. I’ve learned to understand fittings and water standards, and I’m also learning the business side and getting more responsibility because it’s a small company.”
Scott has also relished the opportunity: “I’m really happy being out in the industry. It’s great to be able to use my CAD skills in a commercial setting and the unit that we’re developing is ground-breaking so it’s exciting to be contributing to that.
“We’re given lots of freedom to come up with solutions - it feels like we’re much closer to the action than we would be in a big company. When the projects get up and running, we’ll get project management experience too.”
