success - EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation

“As a company, we gained a valuable resource”
“As part of our corporate commitment to promoting cross-cultural exchanges, Atkins was
delighted to have the opportunity of participating in the Vulcanus programme. Ms Mitsue
Nagata, a civil engineering graduate from Japan, was selected to join our team in Bristol.
The placement proved to be an extremely positive experience, both for Mitsue and for her new
colleagues. By spending some time in each of the teams and working on specific projects,
Mitsue was able to extend her skills by gaining a knowledge of British working practices which
she could then apply in a realistic environment. She was also exposed to a very different work
ethos compared to the traditional method of working employed throughout Asia, and this was
perhaps the hardest transition for her to make. However, Mitsue was an apt and enthusiastic
pupil and proved extremely willing to join in all aspects of our working life. She became a member
of our Social Committee and has been very active on our Schools Liaison Project team,
recently giving a presentation about work experience to an audience of 150 girls!
It is difficult to put a value on the cultural element of the programme in terms of benefits to our
staff, but horizons were certainly broadened by the inclusion of Mitsue into our teams. Many
of the staff learned some Japanese and we are certainly more aware of their customs and traditions.
As a company, we gained a valuable resource, and staff were given opportunities to
both mentor and train Mitsue.
Throughout the Vulcanus programme, Mitsue was given
excellent support and encouragement, and at the end of
her traineeship she was offered a full time post with
Atkins, which is a solid testament to the success of her
year with us.”•
Mr. Philip Hoare, Divisional Manager, Atkins
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