Thomas Champion – Graduate Process Engineer
UGL Resources

After completing my vacational work experience with UGL at the beginning of 2007, I was fortunate to be offered a permanent position. I enjoyed both the work I was doing and the people I was working with, and felt the company could provide the experiences I needed to attain my CPEng.

I have been modelling computer simulations for the last four months, learning about specific processes and how they work.

I am slowly becoming accustomed to office life, and working full-time, while my skills in computer simulation have improved dramatically from when I first started here.

I enjoy having and meeting deadlines, and being part of a professional team.

I hope to be sent out on site soon to gain some hands-on experience, and this is currently being arranged for me through contacts UGL has in the process industry.

Cassandra Armagnacq – HR Graduate
UGL Infrastructure  (Trackstar Alliance)

The Trackstar Alliance is a long-term infrastructure delivery business that harnesses the best skills of five experienced business partners - QR, Thiess, United Group, Connell Wagner and Maunsell.  Created in June 2006 in response to the Queensland Government's challenge to deliver rail infrastructure differently has a long term focus and is now delivering seven projects totalling more than $1 billion as part of SEQIPRAIL's AU$7 billion program. This is the largest ever investment in the future of rail in South East Queensland. SEQIPRAIL forms an important part of the Queensland Government's South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program (SEQIPP).

Why did I join TrackStar?
TrackStar had a great reputation for being innovative and having a strong focus on its people. 

What have I been doing?
I am in a learning and development role which involves the development and coordination of training programs for everyone involved in TrackStar.

General Experiences
My role has been varied and has given me a great introduction in to Human Resource Management. I have played a major role in developing training programs, learnt a lot about the industrial aspects of the construction industry and have been involved in workforce recruitment for the Corinda to Darra Rail Upgrade project.

What have I enjoyed about the experience?
UGL and TrackStar have a really good team of dedicated HR professionals who provide me with a very supportive environment to develop my skills. I have been given the opportunity to work on a project site on a part time basis which has given me great insight in to the construction industry.

Next steps
I am planning on developing my career with UGL to eventually move in to a HR Advisor role on a future project.

Jessica Smider – Graduate Assistant Accountant
UGL Rail (Broadmeadow)

Commencing the UGL Rail Cadet Program in 2004 was a positive step in moving closer towards my career aspirations. Starting out as a quiet, inexperienced high school graduate, I was able to combine my part time university studies with full time employment. This assisted not only to develop my knowledge and understanding of the business world, but also nurtured me to mature and grow as an employee of the company and as a person.

Throughout the four year program, I was able to experience various facets of the company through several rotations within different business departments. This allowed me to see and use the theory I learnt at university, in a practical and supportive atmosphere. The program also offered various support channels such as buddies and mentors which provided guidance, advice and motivation to help achieve my career goals, while maintaining a balance between work and study.

After graduating in 2007 from a Bachelor of Business, I am now working as the assistant accountant within the Technology and Product Development team. The program has helped me successfully achieve my tertiary qualifications, gain practical experience and develop my personal self to be able to take on this role. I would thoroughly recommend the cadet program to future students.

Trent Hoffman – Secondary Systems Design Leader
UGL Infrastructure (South Pine Substation Redevelopment Project)

I joined UGL Infrastructure in February 2004 as a Trainee Design Engineer while completing my senior project at university. I graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering and a Diploma in Engineering practice later that year.

Since then I've worked in various roles as a Design Engineer and Design Manager at UGL Infrastructure, and I am now the Secondary Systems Design Leader on the South Pine Substation Redevelopment Project in Queensland. UGL has a great mix of experience and youth, having the senior engineers around is great because they're the ones you learn from, but there are also plenty of young professionals here which makes it a fun working environment. Since I started with UGL, I've always felt there were opportunities for advancement. It's been a great place to start my career.

Joel Anderson – Graduate Electrical & Instrumentation Engineer
UGL Resources

Why did I join UGL?
I was initially attracted to UGL Resources by the business model and the industry sectors the company targets. I wanted to be a part of a multi-disciplinary team involved in project management and engineering design of large scale projects, but also a part of the procurement and construction process. UGL has contracts in the mining & mineral processing, oil & gas and petrochemical industries and so it was an ideal choice.

I was also attracted by the graduate program which assists graduate engineers in attaining Chartered Professional status, and offers a loose rotation scheme. The rotation scheme allows the graduate to receive experience in engineering design, project engineering and on-site maintenance engineering. There is also a mentor system where the mentor, who is different to your supervisor, assists you in receiving quality experiences whilst still having a voice in the determination of your career direction.

What have I been doing?
Based in the design office I have mainly been involved in the Electrical and Instrumentation design aspects of the Dyno Nobel Ammonium Nitrate Plant to be constructed in Moranbah, Queensland. This required understanding of the electrical distribution system designed by the lead electrical engineer using load flow and fault analysis software. This has also involved keeping up-to-date with scope changes and updating the single line diagrams, schematics and load lists to suit.
I have recently been researching all the electrical equipment that is to be installed in the substations on site and am in the process of creating a substation equipment automation and control philosophy for information to a sub-contractor.
I also have a keen interest in process and process control and have been getting involved in instrumentation engineering.

What have I enjoyed about the experience?
I enjoy working in a team of people and learning from the experiences and knowledge base of very competent engineers. I have also enjoyed learning about the field of electrical and instrumentation engineering and really connecting the dots between the theory learnt in university and the practical. And importantly, I am enjoying the personal satisfaction of putting into practice five years of study at university and the financial rewards that come with it.

Next steps
Next I will be located at the BP Kwinana site to gain some valuable site experience as a project engineer. During this time I will be involved in the 60-day shut-down for the installation and commissioning of a 60 metre Naphtha splitter column and other maintenance projects.

I will be returning to the design office at the end of the year to be involved in the handover phase of the Dyno Nobel project. This will give me experience in functionality and acceptance testing of substations and equipment, and assisting in on-site commissioning