9 October 2014

Costain is offering work placements to two Derby University postgraduate engineering students.

The Masters degree students will spend eight months over the course of a year with the Costain MEICA (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumentation, Control and Automation) team that provides technical support to the Costain Severn Trent Water Framework.

“This is an exciting opportunity for us as a business,” said Stephan van Brummelen, Costain Framework MEICA and Commissioning Manager. “It fits in with our wider aspiration of bringing on board new talent as well as strengthening our relationships with universities.”

He says only students who are passionate about engineering need apply:  “They must be keen to apply their engineering skills and successfully implement technical solutions. The work we do with Severn Trent Water is actively changing the water supply and that’s a big responsibility. We want these placements to help us instil a real sense of responsibility and passion into a new generation of engineers.”

Stephan will begin the selection process with a presentation at the University this autumn. He will talk about Costain’s involvement in the water sector, and how it plans to develop its MEICA capability.

The placements are designed to encourage active liaison between Costain and Derby University. Costain, for example, will gain access to the University’s research facilities and technical laboratories.

Placements are also a good way to bring new talent to the business, said Stephan.

“We’re hoping the students will be able to look beyond the placement and see a future for themselves in Costain. That way we’ll be bringing in the new skills and thinking that will help us get where we want to be as a business.”

For Derby University, the placements offer an ideal way to improve students’ employability.

Said John Thorley, Programme Leader – Professional Engineer: “We’re keen to work with companies like Costain to understand what employers need and how best to get students prepared for the world of work. Giving students as much hands-on, industry experience as possible benefits both them and their future employers, so it’s important industry and education work together.”

The placements are a further strengthening of Costain’s links with Derby University. Earlier this year, two Brazilian students studying at the University as part of the Brazilian government’s Science without Borders programme spent three months with Costain’s Severn Trent Water team.

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