Having completed an MEng in Engineering Manufacturing and Management at UMIST (Manchester), I started at TMUK on 7^th September 1998. I completed a 2 year graduate programme which included a number of off the job training courses as well as on the job development in the engineering department. As a “line engineer” my role was to provide direct engineering support to the production groups, which involved reactive problem solving and proactive implementation of minor vehicle or equipment changes.

After completing the graduate programme I moved to a project engineer role working on new vehicle and equipment implementation. This role required the investigation and understanding of major upcoming changes and development of solutions to enable these changes to work in our plant.

In 2005 I was promoted to Engineering Section Manager and led a team of line engineers in direct line support. After one year I moved into a Production Section Manager role which meant managing a section of the Assembly shop with around 120 members in my organisation (including shift work).

After taking maternity leave I returned to the engineering department leading the development of management systems and process design methodology. Through these projects we have achieved over 20% improvement in efficiency over the last 6 years. I am now responsible for ensuring that all of this learning is incorporated into the introduction of our new model, giving us a strong foundation for the next level of efficiency improvements.

Over the years I have worked with a wide range of people within TMUK and in other plants, including business trips to Japan, Canada, Russia, Turkey and France. Throughout the company there is a huge emphasis on teamwork, and people will always help and support each other. Although it is often challenging, it is also very rewarding to be part of an organisation where everyone works together to achieve long term success.

When I first arrived at Toyota I had little idea of what an industrial placement would be like and what sort of things I would be doing, so I was understandable fairly nervous. However, I feel like I settled in almost immediately. We had an induction week with the other Grads and IPs, which introduced you to Toyota fundamentals, but was also a way to get used to the company without being thrown in at the deep end.  I was introduced to my department after that and was welcomed in straight away. Within a month, or so, it was like I’d been there for ages. 

My role in the company was incredibly varied and it felt like every day was different, which really suited my working style. I was always up on my feet doing things, rather than sitting at a desk. One of my main projects was working with 3D printers to assist with tasks within Plastics. This was a completely new skill to me and allowed me to try something outside my normal area of study, which I ended up really enjoying and I’m hoping to be able to integrate it into my Chemical Engineering degree.  I was given projects with a large amount of responsibility , which really makes you feel like you’re making a difference to the company and a lot more than just an intern. I was even given the opportunity to work with school groups who come to Toyota to learn more about engineering and what we do as a company. All these different activities have allowed me to develop such a wide range of skills, that I look forward to bringing back to University with me and applying to my future career. Working at Toyota is definitely a challenge, but with constant support it’s one you’ll enjoy.

Journey from Industrial Trainee to HR Principal Specialist

I started my career at Toyota with a 12 month placement as an Industrial Trainee.  I spent the year working in the recruitment team, experiencing first-hand the detailed process of recruiting a new employee from application stage through to their first day at work. At the end of my placement I was fortunate enough to be offered a permanent position with Toyota on their Graduate scheme upon successful completion of my Business Studies degree. So 12 months later I returned to Toyota to continue my career and I’ve now been here for 10 years. The Graduate scheme is a fantastic way to join Toyota; the courses and development opportunities provided during the 24 month scheme gave me a firm footing to begin my career and taught me the key principles about life at Toyota. Learning about the Toyota Way, Health and Safety, Kaizen and Personal Skills (to name a few) taught me some of the fundamental skills which Toyota relies upon on a daily basis. The Graduate scheme is an excellent platform to begin your progression at Toyota, with the possibility of moving up through the Specialist grade to Senior Specialist and then Principal Specialist, before being considered for a Management position. Having reached Principal Specialist grade, I am thoroughly enjoying my career at Toyota and look forward to the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Journey from Industrial Trainee in Deeside, North Wales to Inter-Company Transferee, Toyota, Japan.

My Career started 10 years ago with an 11 month Industrial Trainee Placement at the Toyota Engine Manufacturing Plant; Deeside, North Wales. I began by working on the production line for the first 3 weeks; an essential activity to give an appreciation of what the team go through on the way to producing the finished product. I then progressed to the responsibility of Assembly Line Quality support. It was surprising how I was trusted with real responsibility, although I was never thrown out of my depth. I learned to look at the logic surrounding a decision and was put through several courses to study the Toyota Way; learning about lean manufacturing and key fundamentals behind the Toyota Production System. I remember it being extremely eye-opening as a first insight into working life.

The working ethic instilled through my placement played a large part in me graduating with a First Class Masters of Engineering Degree from Loughborough University. I was then fortunate enough to return to Deeside as a Graduate Engineer, completing the 18 month Scheme with increased responsibilities to that of my trainee year. Throughout the following 5 years I gained experience in all areas of Quality Assurance, travelling all over Europe for supplier support and warranty cases, plus two trips to Japan for New Project and Durability Testing. I became lead Project Engineer for the introduction of the new hybrid engine for the CH-R, and saw this from initial concept to start of production.

My career with Toyota has been filled with opportunities, but by far the greatest to date was the chance to live and work in Japan for 18 months as part of the Inter-Company Transferee (ICT) Scheme. Adapting to the Japanese culture of work and life, as well as the language, was by-far the toughest challenge I had ever faced. Through this challenge I was able to grow in both professional and personal terms, adding to the experience I already had in engine manufacturing as well as passing several Japanese exams. I studied the Toyota Principles in the environment and language they were born, in addition to developing my understanding of Toyota as a global company.  The immense challenge led to huge personal reward. There was also the additional benefit of gaining many new friends, travelling to all areas within Japan and 8 new countries.  After returning to the UK with my heightened understanding, independence and confidence I continue to look for development and progression opportunities wherever available.

Hi, my name is David Choo. I studied Mechanical Engineering at the University of Sheffield and now I am a Graduate Engineer here at Toyota. I first came to TMUK after my penultimate year of University, where I joined as a trainee engineer for a Summer Internship. I was assigned to the Press shop where I joined a team of five engineers. I immediately felt part of the team with real responsibilities and interesting projects to carry out. One project involved spending a lot of time on the Shop Floor to improve the quality of a product from a Press process. The project required me to work with very skilled team members to learn more about the process, and to find the root cause of the problem through fact finding and analysis. Though it may sound slightly overwhelming, especially with the short amount of time you are here, the huge amount of support that you get is fantastic which makes the tasks manageable. I was able to get the most of the 12 weeks I was here. One of the best aspects of working here at Toyota is the friendliness and helpfulness of the people in the company, and the mentality  that everyone has - you always feel like you are a part of a team and everyone is there to support you.

At the end of the Summer Placement I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to return to TMUK and join their Graduate Scheme. I joined the Weld department on my return, and just like the Summer Internship, I was immediately involved in all the daily activities, as well as supporting with the problem solving on line and department issues. I truly feel valued as a member of this department. Every day there are new issues, new developments and new advancements, and I am continuing to learn new and interesting things. TMUK has been a great company to work for so far, I have gained so much and developed from such a short time of being here. I’m excited to see what my future at TMUK holds for me.

A good sign of a positive transition from a Summer Intern or Industrial Placement student to a Graduate is the feeling that you never really left, and that is exactly how I felt coming back to Toyota. Of course, so much happens in your last year at university so it’s pretty much impossible to immediately walk back in and pick up your responsibilities like you never left, nor does Toyota expect that of you.

I had an induction week both as a Summer Intern and a Graduate, both of which were equally effective in welcoming myself and other Graduates into the company. Essentially, it is the supportive teamwork system and kaizen culture within the company which ensures success for Toyota’s Graduates. I’m into the third week of my Human Resources Graduate Scheme now as a Trainee Area Specialist in Employee Relations, and I’ve already picked up the responsibilities I held as a summer intern and more! To give a bit of background to my role, each HR specialist in our team is placed in a manufacturing shop(s), where we will typically spend a day liaising with members from the shop floor right through to senior management ensuring that any ‘people’ issues are dealt with in the most effective and efficient way. I’ve been placed in Assembly Shop with another colleague - the biggest one at the plant with around 650 members, so it is indeed a challenge. Saying that, it is a challenge I’m thoroughly enjoying. I’m never bored, I’m always learning, it isn’t easy but I’m well supported. Toyota’s Graduate Scheme offers me exactly what I want at the start of my HR career and I can’t wait to progress further with them.

University & Degree Studied: Loughborough University – MEng Automotive Engineering

Current Job Role: New Project Quality Assurance - Responsible for Chassis, Engine and Electrical commodities and associated quality management systems and complete vehicle evaluations. Core role involves practical problem solving and countermeasure implementation, process and procedure kaizen, supplier quality management and conformity of production.

My journey with Toyota: I first experienced Toyota as an Industrial Placement student in 2014 successfully completing an 11 month placement and 2 year Graduate scheme after completing my degree.  I have never had a dull day here: it’s fast paced, varied and challenging. The scope of the roles are so wide you will benefit both personally and professionally, working with people at all levels of the business and suppliers to achieve the company objectives.  With guidance and support of my managers and mentor, I’ve overcome tough challenges and achieved beyond even my own expectations at this early stage of my career.  By the end of my 3 years at Toyota, I am now an integral part of the team with my own specialisation within the team. From an early stage in the placement year I was given real responsibility and incrementally ramped up and exposed to more parts of the business. I’ll never forget the first time I travelled to a foreign supplier solo to agree a countermeasure strategy with all of their European Quality team.

I’ve recently had the opportunity to work on the new Corolla which has been a great experience, giving me great opportunities to put my mark on the next UK built Toyota model. TMUK has a great culture, really supportive and friendly people which really makes it a fun place to work.