Here some of our staff talk about their job roles, their motivation for taking up these roles, and the rewards and challenges of the job.

Ed Wallis
Jade Stephenson

Ed Wallis
Job title: Director of Engineering

What does your job involve?
To help to identify future possibilities in terms of products and services I need to liaise with Customers and try to understand what problems or challenges they face and where they see technology gaps. In addition, I provide technical support to the Area Sales Managers and Internal Sales Engineers to resolve enquiries from customers. Finally, I also work alongside other members of BEL Valves’ staff to resolve problems that arise from time to time with materials and parts used in the manufacture and build of the valves, actuators and valve products.

How long have you been doing your job?
I’ve been in my current position for about 2 years. This role is different to that previously held as the specification is not as prescriptive and is broader in range.

What did you do before?
Previously I was Technical Director at BEL Valves, in a role which was more focused on the detailed design of the BEL Valves’ products and linking Research & Development with the day to day business.

What made you apply for the position?
The position was offered to me, and by accepting it, it created opportunities for others to progress their careers.

What’s the best thing about the job?
The best thing about the job is being able to see something through from initial concept to products going out the door. To coin an old expression, we start with a blank sheet of paper and an idea and work through the different issues that may arise through the design process. These might be picking materials that have the best combination of properties of corrosion resistance and strength, overcoming problems with the manufacturing processes, understanding how to assemble and the operation of that assembly and so on. And all of this needs to be considered with the overriding concern of cost to produce.

What’s the most challenging thing about the job?
The most challenging thing about my job is planning. I start my day knowing what I want to do but the industry we serve is very demanding and we need to be flexible. Something can happen, for example, on the other side of the world and the consequences cause us to change all of our plans.

What support/training have you received from BEL Valves to help you succeed?
Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to undertake a number of different training courses to support my career progression. These have included Time management, Interpersonal Skills, Team Building and so on.

What advice would you give to someone else starting in a similar role or considering applying?
My advice to someone starting in a similar role, or considering applying would be that no matter how good you are, training will always improve your performance and increase your job satisfaction. So whatever the job role, I would advise looking beyond the obvious skills and knowledge required for that job and remember what the objectives of your role are, as these will always offer new training opportunities.

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Jade Stephenson
Job title: Apprentice Trainee

What does your job involve?
As an Apprentice Trainee you spend four years training towards your desired engineering job role, which for me is a CNC (Computer Numerical Controlled) machine operator. Having spent the first year learning to use manual machines and the second year moving around departments, the third year included being seconded back to various departments such as inspection to meet the requirements of additional demand and apply my new skills. Currently I am working on CNC machines and also learning to use new machines, in preparation for my CNC machine operator role when my training finishes at the end of the fourth year.

How long have you been doing this job?
I have been in my current role for nearly four years. I am in my fourth and final year of the Apprentice Trainee programme at BEL Valves.

What did you do before?
When I left school with ‘A’ levels I knew a career in engineering was for me, having previously completed an engineering work experience placement at the age of 14, organized through TDR (Training & Development Resource Ltd). With this in mind, I originally began a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Newcastle University back in 2004, but dropped out in the following year as I was disappointed with the lack of practical content. Having re-approached TDR for advice, I was able to get back into the practical side of engineering through a full-time 36-week ‘basic engineering skills’ course at college.

What made you apply for the position?
Most of my fellow trainees on the ‘basic engineering skills’ course already had a company sponsor, so I set about finding a company that would take me on as an Apprentice Trainee. BEL Valves, a division of British Engines Ltd, was that company and they agreed to take me on half way through this course. From that point on, therefore, I was a fully paid and supported employee with BEL Valves, which eased my financial burden and guaranteed the practical skills which my previous university course had not been able to provide.

What’s the best thing about the job?
The best thing about my job is that I am constantly learning. Practical skills are critical for an engineering role, and within BEL Valves I get hands-on training from accomplished engineers with literally years of experience. I also get to “learn by doing”, which is the only way you can be sure you know the job, particularly when it comes to operating machines.

What’s the most challenging thing about the job?
Everything about this job is challenging – I am a female in a male-dominated environment and there is so much to learn – but constantly learning is what makes it interesting. The steep learning curve I was facing was particularly apparent at the beginning of the trainee scheme because engineering is so different to everything I learnt at school.

What support/training have you received from BEL Valves to help you succeed?
As well as the first class hands-on training I receive at BEL Valves, I have been impressed with the practical and financial support I have received for all the training I have wanted to take on to further my career prospects. For example, I completed my ONC at South Tyneside College which was funded by BEL Valves and I was supported by BEL Valves to complete my NVQ Level 3 through TDR. Ironically, I am now back studying part-time for a degree in Mechanical Engineering, but this time I am have the practical skills behind me, which puts me at a great advantage over my fellow students and I have the financial support of a full-time job with BEL Valves.

What advice would you give to someone else starting in a similar role or considering applying?
For someone considering applying, I would say it is absolutely the best way to pursue a career in engineering. Having the ability to study and earn a living at the same time, with a clear career path outlined ahead of you, gives you the best of both worlds. And for someone in a similar role, I would say “take up every single training opportunity you are given – there are no limits to what you can achieve with the support of a company like BEL Valves”.


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