Upon completing my Bachelor of Engineering with distinction, I found myself without a job. I started looking for internship opportunities in electronic companies, to no avail. It was then that our Training and Placement Officer (TPO) informed me about a 3-month training opportunity at Forbes Marshall, in collaboration with CII. I eagerly sent in my application and was excited to receive a confirmation of selection from Dhamankar Sir the very next day.
The training commenced on November 8th, 2013 with a total of 33 participants, including me. Previous participants of the programme share their experience with us during the inaugural function. During the ensuing classroom sessions, we were introduced to the various product lines offered by Forbes Marshall; I was overwhelmed by the quantum of information.
I was delighted to be appointed as class monitor, a role that allowed me to enhance my leadership skills. It required me to co-ordinate the finer details, make sure things run smoothly and also serve as a communication bridge between the class and Dhamankar Sir (although every trainee could speak directly to him at any time).
I was most intrigued by flowmeters, and chose this product line for my hands-on training. Over the course of five weeks, I delved into model coding, manufacturing processes, electronics, calibration, and supply chain intricacies. Working with the R&D department during the launch of a new vortex flow transmitter, and being involved in various test stages, provided me with invaluable experience. I was also assigned to build a small resistor circuit to be used for the temperature cycling of these new flow transmitters which I finished successfully. This further fuelled my hunger for learning.
I was very happy when the team requested a 2-week extension at the end of my hands-on session, as this showed they recognised my potential. However, I had already been assigned for my second hands-on training on control valves. A temporary arrangement allowed me to work with both teams for some time. For control valves, I contributed to a dynamic response test project, during which I was able to put to use my training in Lab VIEW, MATLAB, MS Excel, and Mathwork platform.
Alongside hands-on training, we attended weekly sessions covering topics such as communication skills, presentation skills, marketing and public speaking. Visits to the other Forbes Marshall facilities and CSR engagement were also arranged. These activities significantly contributed to our personal and professional development. I prepared my final presentation, which was selected as the 2nd best, using guidance from the presentation session. The training also provided us with the invaluable opportunity to Interact with Mr Farhad Forbes and Jehangir Ardeshir from the management team.
The entire training programme was a transformative experience, offering more than just technical knowledge. We even got a chance to perform at the company annual day celebrations, fostering a sense of family spirit. The most significant outcome for me was gaining a mentor like Dhamankar Sir, who will always be a guiding light. Several of the trainees in the batch, including myself, secured roles within Forbes Marshall.
Post my marriage two years later, I moved to the UK. Since then, I have held positions in instrumentation companies such as Endress+Hauser and WIKA. I am currently Area Sales Manager for South UK at ABB Limited.
- Sujata Das , CII-FM.AA Batch-7