Graduate Development Programme Case Study

“The Thales Graduate Development Programme uses a simulation of real work to bring learning alive.” - Thales Training & Simulation

The Thales Graduate Development Programme uses a simulation of real work to bring learning alive.

TT&C has recently designed a Graduate Development Programme with a difference. The programme is aimed at new Engineering Graduates in Thales Companies and is designed to equip the new graduates with the knowledge, understanding and skills which underpin performance as a Graduate Engineer. The standards of performance have been set by The Engineering Council (UK) and are known as UKSPEC (UK Standards for Professional Engineering Competence).

The programme will concentrate on the interpersonal skills required to become a Chartered Engineer

Method of Training

TT&C will facilitate four events that will take place over a period of one year. Participants will have the opportunity to attend further training events between each module to further enhance the learning from the programme. After each of the modules participants will be set a series of tasks or projects to carry out, these tasks will be relevant to "“the real world" of work and the previous training module. The tasks are designed to bring alive the tools and concepts presented during the training in the real work environment.

In order to make the training fun, interesting and as real to work as possible Thales will use the medium of  a “Simulated Bid to Proposal” to simulate in a safe environment all the steps in the Process and replicate all the management, procedural, budgeting, customer service and interpersonal skills required to achieve the putting together of a proposal for a large Car Manufacturer.

The Simulation

The Programme of training requires a proposal from Thales Graduates as to how they would create a technical solution for a  ar Simulator that can be used by professional rally drivers to practice in a safe environment on the top world circuits prior to arriving at the events, thus giving the drivers a competitive advantage over other teams. The training will include:

• Issue Identification
• Building up the components of the Simulator
• Negotiations
• Stakeholder Management
• Final presentation to the client.

The short tutor inputs will concentrate on best practice approaches to all the interpersonal skills required by a bid team to put together a successful proposal. The Tutor inputs will include:

• Problem Solving & Creative Thinking
• Team Working & Team Dynamics
• Communication Skills (Written, Presentations & meetings)
• Influencing Skills
• Negotiation Skills
• Customer Service
• Requirements Capture & Analysis
• Finance
• Project Management

The Graduate group will work in two teams producing a final solution to present to the client. Each bid team will have it’s own tutor. Tutor inputs will be shared by both tutors in the main training room. Actors will be used on one of the training days to add “another dimension” to the training. The tutors will also perform the role of client at meetings and during negotiations.

For further information on Graduate Development Programmes or the use of Training Simulations, telephone us on 0800 163 469 or email training.services@thales-ttc.com