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The six participants of the program arrived in the UK from Australia in February, with the aim of learning from our Subject Matter Experts on how we carry out the Test & Evaluation services that are so crucial to our defence and security customers.

The participants selected for the program demonstrated a strong desire to grow and expand their T&E competencies, as well as a passion for personal development and an aptitude to learn. The program was created to advance the knowledge of Test & Evaluation and broaden the skillset globally, and by being in the UK, the participants are building relationships with QinetiQ’s key T&E Subject Matter Experts, and have the opportunity to have exposure to customer trials.

We touched base with our six participants to understand what made them apply for the program and how their experience has been.

They all talked about applying for the program in order to understand how T&E works in the UK and, very importantly, why it’s so valuable to our customers and how we can begin to apply what we do in the UK for the benefit of our customers in Australia. Once the participants have completed their learning in the UK, they want to take the knowledge back and sit at the forefront of the Test & Evaluation revolution in Australia to help shape T&E in-country for the future.

When asked how they’ve been getting on, we heard the following:

“The experience I’ve enjoyed mostly thus far is the ability to interact, engage and build rapport with UK counterparts.”

“Everywhere I’ve been so far in my placement, QinetiQ staff have been positive, engaging and interested in the program and genuinely want it to succeed.”

“In the short time of my placement, the host-managers continue to point me in the right direction when I need assistance in understanding not-so-familiar topics.”

ldquo;My Subject Matter Expert and the Trials Planning mentors have been a wealth of knowledge and extremely approachable.”

“Coming to a site like Shoeburyness has been an eye opener; there is a lot to see and many differing sections to visit, all of which support the various trial activities that are happening there.”

Whilst based at their home sites of Winfrith, Aberporth or Shoeburyness, the participants have travelled to other sites to take part in trials and experiential learning, including Rosneath, Scotland where we carry out Maritime T&E trials.

“A stand-out experience is the visit to Rosneath in Scotland, where Head of Site, was very welcoming and supporting. I was there not only to get an orientation of this testing facility but also to attend a two day Human Factors training course which I thoroughly enjoyed.”

In addition to building and enhancing our participants’ T&E skills and careers, this program is also key to reinforcing and complementing QinetiQ’s strategy to remain a world leader in Test & Evaluation for defence.

Mike Sewart, Chief Technology and Operating Officer at QinetiQ added “I am delighted to hear about how enthused our participants to the program have been and the positive support from our customers. We are continuing to further develop the program for future participants, ensuring it is not only rewarding for themselves, but also valuable for the future of Test & Evaluation capability in supporting Global Defence needs.”

If you are interested in learning more about this bespoke career development program please visit: Test & Evaluation Sovereign Skills Program.