Careers

Careers

If you are looking for a career in the oil and gas industry, are interested in working for BEL Valves please follow the link through to our parent company – British Engines for a list of current vacancies or simply to register your interest.

View Vacancies on the BEL Website

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, Director of Engineering

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  • 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.

Jade Stephenson, Apprentice Trainee

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  • 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".

Andy Cooper, Lead Engineer

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  • What does your job involve?
    Andy Cooper is a Lead Engineer with main responsibilities for designing and developing the BEL Valves product portfolio to meet customer specific requirements. Andy Cooper works within a Project team made up of design & quality engineers, document controllers and project managers. Andy Cooper has a specific focus on High Pressure and High Integrity applications for Safety Critical Service. As Lead Engineer the role also includes coaching, mentoring and training of peers within and across project teams.
  • How long have you been doing this job?
    I joined British Engines in September 2006 as a Mechanical Design Engineer before being promoted in 2009 to a Senior Design Engineer. In May 2010 I was promoted to Lead Project Engineer.
  • What did you do before?
    My career prior to BEL Valves started through an on-the-job training scheme leading to an Engineering Advanced Modern Apprenticeship and then gaining a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Mechanical and Production Engineering and a Higher National Diploma (HND) in Manufacturing Engineering.
  • What made you apply for the position?
    The new role at BEL Valves provided an excellent opportunity to further broaden my engineering experience through an alternative range of technologies and engineering processes. My duties within BEL Valves have involved undertaking roles in both production projects and product development projects. In addition BEL where committed to continue to sponsor me through my part-time BEng Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University.
  • What's the best thing about the job?
    The best thing about an engineering role within BEL Valves is that the learning never stops. Working on customer specific projects means you keep up to speed with other Oil & Gas field technologies and provides exposure to alternative areas of the industry such as Drilling, Completion, Wells, Trees & Control Systems; etc.
  • What’s the most challenging thing about the job?
    The most challenging areas of the job can change throughout the course of a project from dealing with technically challenging requirements in developing new field enabling technologies, to dealing with client or project changes at various points of a production schedule.
  • What support/training have you received from BEL Valves to help you succeed?
    BEL Valves were committed to continue to sponsor me through my part-time BEng Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering at Northumbria University, which I had started when with my previous employer. In addition to this I have been provided various external and internal courses including courses titled; Introduction to the Oil and Gas Industry, SUT Subsea Awareness & Corrosion in the Offshore Environment. The most valuable of all has been ‘on the job’ the training gaining a wealth of knowledge from the industry.
  • What advice would you give to someone else starting in a similar role or considering applying?
    There is often a perception that only people with a specific aptitude can be successful within an engineering role. However it is attitude that drives aptitude. Therefore if you demonstrate the correct character you will get out exactly what you put in; and if your thinking of applying to join the Oil and Gas Industry, then do it, there simply not a better industry to be in.

Faye Henry, Technical Apprentice

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  • What does your job involve?
    Faye creates 'job packets' (Valve product information) for the new issued jobs on the shop floor, these packets includes a Bill of Materials, Cast Sheets, General Assembly Drawings, Feedback Form and a Shop traveller. I also create document packages for the valve; the document package consists of material certificates, NDT results, testing certificates and various other reports for example paint reports.
  • How long have you been doing this job?
    I have been doing this job for a year and a half now.
  • What did you do before?
    I was an apprentice within the machine shop completing the apprenticeship training programme. During this time I had hands on experience in operating various machine tools used during production including boring machines, grinding, turning and centre lathes each of which I became familiar with.
  • What made you apply for the position?
    Following the completion of my apprenticeship training I was given the opportunity to learn the role within Assembly Test and then offered the role as a permanent position.
  • What's the best thing about the job?
    The fact that I'm still learning new skills every day. I also take a lot of pride in delivering the document packages completed and on time with the valve ensuring no delays.
  • Whats the most challenging thing about the job?
    The job is varied and it can require different levels of concentration, quick turnarounds and detailed work but still keeping all information accurate. If the deadline of the valve being despatched is brought forward, then it can be quite challenging completing the documents to meet the new date.
  • What support/ training have you received from BEL Valves to help you succeed?
    I have completed my HNC in manufacturing engineering, I now attend regular courses which are run by the North East Chamber of Commerce. These courses help with the job role I am doing and will help when I'm ready to move to my next challenge. I have also had support in completing my NVQ level 3 from my TDR co-ordinator.
  • What advice would you give to someone else starting in a similar role or considering applying?
    I would really let them know about how good the engineering apprenticeship scheme is with BEL Valves, and the opportunities which can arise throughout it. I’ve received a lot of training on and off the job and it has really benefitted me greatly.

Steven Reay, Commercial Apprentice

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  • What does your job involve?
    Steven’s first placement within marketing involved various roles within the marketing department. Completing customer pre-qualifications questionnaires, collecting global competitor information, international market information, and preparing for exhibitions as well as other marketing events. Steven also managed the information within the company’s Customer Relationship Management tool.
  • How long have you been doing this job?
    I have been doing this job for nearly 6 months.
  • What did you do before?
    Before joining BEL Valves I worked as a customer relations assistant for a haulage firm.
  • What made you apply for the position?
    I applied for the position as commercial apprentice because it gave me the opportunity to achieve new qualifications and it allows me to try different departments within the office environment to see what role suits me best, and therefore allowing me to direct my career in a specific direction.
  • What's the best thing about the job?
    The best thing about the job is it provides a different variation of jobs to do each week, as one week I could be in the marketing department and the next I could be in the purchasing department.
  • What's the most challenging thing about the job?
    The most challenging thing about the job is trying to balance the work I have to do within my role and the work I need to complete to achieve my NVQ.
  • What support/training have you received from BEL Valves to help you succeed?
    My colleagues in the different departments of the company are very supportive and are willing to explain things to me so I totally understand their roles. They also provide me with work that will improve my understanding. I have a skills advisor who provides support with the work I need to complete for my NVQ. We have regular meetings to ensure my learning is going in the right direction.
  • What advice would you give to someone else starting in a similar role or considering applying?
    I would encourage anyone who was considering applying for a similar role because you receive a great foundation for learning across a number of roles within the business and you can gain academic qualifications whilst you work.