About the programme

We know that your placement is a huge platform for your future, so we take our responsibilities very seriously. Whether you join us in Engineering, Production Control (Supply Chain), HR or Finance we'll make sure that you maximise your time with us. You'll be involved with live projects from the start and be given the opportunity to make a real impact within the company, working alongside experienced people who'll go out of their way to make sure that you're always learning.

The Toyota Way means that continuous improvement and respect for people are hard-wired into our culture. We're always looking for ways to improve - and that extends to your development. 

Over the 11 month placement, you will be given training to sharpen and enhance your skills, while receiving regular feedback on how you are progressing.  At the end of your Industrial Placement, you'll present to senior managers on your projects to demonstrate how you've added value to Toyota.  

Previous Industrial Placement students say it's an invaluable experience; it clarifies what you want from a career and helps you in your vital final-year. Impress us and you could be invited back to join our full graduate training programme.

What we look for

We're looking for individuals who will share our values and believe that there's always a better way. So, if you thrive on analysing problems from different angles to develop solutions and take a practical approach to your work, you could go a long way with us.  You will also have a consistently strong academic record, with a minimum 2:1 predicted degree result.

We typically take on Industrial Placement students in four areas: Production Control (Supply Chain), HR, Finance and engineering. For Engineering and Finance positions you will need to be studying a relevant degree. For HR and Production Control (Supply Chain) most disciplines are acceptable but business related degrees are preferred. 

How it works

You'll begin on a week long induction learning the fundamentals of the business and how we operate.  This will include information on our policies and procedures, a tour of the Burnaston factory and detail on what your programme with entail.

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Areas you may work

Engineering

Engineering at Toyota isn’t about nuts and bolts. It’s much more about having imagination plus the dedication to keep developing the best processes and products.

We encourage our engineers to look at things from every angle to find better ways of working. That’s always been the Toyota Way – as our founder Sakichi Toyoda put it: “Inspiration comes from many places.  We need to have our eyes, our minds and our hearts open to things we interact with every day, so open your window to the world.”  You can see that commitment reflected in cars like the Corolla. It’s what makes Toyota an outstanding place to work for inquisitive and ambitious engineers.

Production Control (Supply Chain)

Everything starts and stops with Production Control and our Supply Chain. Join us here as we control, plan and continually kaizen our vehicle and parts flow and you'll be at the centre of our manufacturing operation bringing the world-famous Toyota Production System* (TPS) to life.

You will have the opportunity to learn about concepts like just-in-time (JIT) first-hand from the company that pioneered them whilst empowering you to incorporate your innovative ideas and solutions in an ever changing digital environment.

*TPS is a lean manufacturing system designed to eliminate waste, reduce costs and keep lead times down - where Toyota has led the way, other manufacturers have followed. 

Human Resources

Our approach to people management is different.

One of Toyota's Guiding Principles is to foster a respectful, reflective culture where individual creativity and teamwork can flourish. That makes HR a visible, valuable part of our operation. To keep our products progressing and our processes evolving, it’s essential to develop our people. Our HR specialists are influential experts, and most employment issues are their business. To succeed in HR, you’ll need to be a team player yourself – as comfortable and confident on the shop floor as you are with your senior managers.

Finance & Purchasing

Finance isn’t a back office function at Toyota.

You’ll soon see that a key part of your role is to go and see things for yourself and adopt a dynamic and practical learning method. You’ll spend time on the shop floor and understanding the way we work from a manufacturing perspective. A key part of our role is to develop breakthrough initiatives to manage costs per vehicle by working closely with other departments. Whether you are in cost management, general ledger, accounts payable and received, purchasing, or investment, you'll tackle real commercial projects and discover how finance can add real value to the production process.

More information

Salary and Benefits

At Toyota Manufacturing UK, during your 11 month placement, we reward performance and hard work.

We also offer an excellent range of benefits including:

Current Industrial Placement Salary: £24,534 plus overtime

  • Paid overtime
  • 25 days paid annual holiday
  • Relocation assistance
  • Free workwear
  • Subsidised restaurants
  • Discount car schemes
  • Graduate placement opportunities
  • Workplace nursery
  • Pension

11-month Placement Programme numbers are based on business requirements and do vary from year to year. Typically Toyota Manufacturing UK selects 5-10 Industrial Trainees per year across both Engineering and Non-Engineering Divisions.

Typically the first week of September every year.

Non-Engineering opportunities such as Human Resources, Finance & Purchasing, Business Operations Management (Logistics) are based across the business. Engineering opportunities at either Burnaston or Deeside could see you working within
assembly, quality assurance, press, weld, paint, plastics or at Deeside specifically casting or machining. Placement opportunities can vary from year to year.

Studying a business/engineering related degree and seeking an 11 month placement. An interest in working within the vehicle manufacturing sector, mature approach, confident, flexible, enthusiastic, team players. Prepared to use their own initiative and implement changes.

Either Burnaston, Derbyshire or Deeside, North Wales.

Unfortunately, we can only accept applications for our 11-month placement programme from candidates who are legally entitled to work in the UK indefinitely. We will ask to see proof of your eligibility to work in the UK when you visit our site at the assessment centre/interview stage of the recruitment process. Typically, this is in the form of a UK or European Economic passport or similar supporting documentation as detailed on our application form.

UCAS points will be taken into consideration and a strong academic record is required.

The current starting salary is £24, 534 plus overtime. 25 days paid holiday including public (or bank) holidays, workwear and access to on-site subsidised restaurants.  You will have access to our corperate site where you can take advantage of our "Corperate Perks" which include discounts on local attractions, eating out, holidays and many more.

If you are successful at the on-line aptitude testing stage, you will be invited to attend an on-site assessment centre at the Burnaston Plant.  If you are offered a position with Toyota, a factory tour will take place during your induction week.

The application window for our placement opportunities is typically open from October - December.

There is a very limited opportunity for travel within the UK or our European operations. Opportunities are based on business requirements and for the 11-month Placement Programme it is highly likely that you will be based primarily within the UK.

Toyota Manufacturing UK does provide some monetary assistance to relocate. At the Open Day, accommodation advice is given in terms of local letting agency contact details. You will meet other Industrial Trainees and Graduates that also need to move to the area.

You will be welcomed into the company by attending a 4.5 day Induction with all the new placement programme students, Graduates and Apprentices.  This induction will give you an insite into Toyota, our expectations, policies & procedures and various team building exercises. You will then join your department for a more detailed welcome.

Core training courses include, Plan-Do-Check-Action, Presentation Skills, Health & Safety and Personal Planning.  Your home department may also provide you with the opportunity to attend more job specific courses to support you within the role and your continued development.

Support is an intrinsic part of how we operate at Toyota.  You will have 3 formal reviews with your Supervisor and have numerous informal opportunities to gain feedback on your performance.  A mentor will be allocated to you therefore further support will be given which could include a weekly meeting.

You will be primarily based in 1 department for the duration of your placement, however the general nature of work at Toyota is teamwork. You will therefore have the opportunity to work with multi-disciplinary teams with members from other departments.

Yes, you will be allocated a Supervisor from day one who will support you as you progress through the 11-month Placement Programme alongside a mentor.

Yes, at the end of the 11-month Placement Programme a small number of Placement Programme Students are offered a Graduate position. This decision is based on performance appraisals throughout the 11 month placement and current vacancies. These opportunities are limited and the competition is strong so this placement is a great opportunity for you to showcase your skills and put your university theory into reality. 

Our Success Stories

Read some of our recent sucess stories from a variety of different people in different roles