Engineering Graduate Programme Archives - Tandem Project Management

Advance Graduates Presentations 2023

In July 2023, Tandem held a celebration for its Advance Graduates. Tandem’s Advance Graduate programme aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure they obtain broad experience on both a professional and personal level in these crucial initial years of their career.

The celebration was held in Blackrock Castle Observatory, a unique location, apt in that our graduates are ‘reaching for the stars’ in their careers!

The day consisted of presentations from graduates on their professional accomplishments and personal development over this past year. Jason Cullinane, Brian Flahive and Matthew Davidson presented on the experience they have gained and the areas that they have developed in throughout the programme. Presentations lasted 10 minutes after which they took questions from managers and peers.

Advance is a two-year programme and both Brian Flahive and Matthew Davidson were presented with their graduation certificates by Tim Mulhall. We look forward to Matthew’s continued success in Tandem and wish Brian well for his new adventure in Melbourne, Australia.

The graduates, peers and managers then enjoyed a celebratory lunch in the Blackrock Castle café.

ISO Audit, CPD Accreditation & Graduate Programme Approval

Tandem has recently completed a successful ISO 9001 surveillance audit with EQA, achieved reaccreditation from Engineers Ireland for it Continuing Professional Development programme and also recognition of its Advance Graduate Programme.

The EQA surveillance audit took place over three days, covering all Tandem departments and office locations and both in-person and remote auditing were employed. Tandem is delighted to have passed the ISO 9001 audit with no non-conformances and no negative observations.

The CPD accreditation from Engineers Ireland reconfirms Tandem’s commitment to the development of its personnel and ensures the company remains to the forefront of new learning. The Engineers Ireland Accredited CPD Employer Standard has provided a framework for Tandem to deliver on its CPD strategy since out first accreditation in 2017.

Tandem is also delighted to announce it has achieved Engineers Ireland CPD Approval of it’s Advance Graduate Programme.
Advance is a 2-year graduate programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure they obtain broad experience, on both a professional and personal level, in the crucial initial years of their career.

The CPD approval from Engineers Ireland is backed up by what our graduates say about the programme:

“Coming out of college, the support from managers, mentors and colleagues is great.”

“The programme is very interactive, I have support and comradery. I am well looked after with mentoring and everyone in my team is there to help.”

“My team are very experienced, and I feel supported in this early part of my career. It is a really good environment.”

The Future of Engineering

When Tandem meets with students, undergraduates and graduates interested in pursuing a career in engineering, we are always impressed with the technical ability, drive and enthusiasm that we see in budding young engineers.

As part of our CSR programme, Tandem engages with The Engineers Ireland STEPS Young Engineers Award, STEM South West, and i-Wish. Tandem also hosts TY students annually and employs undergraduate interns and graduates through our Advance graduate programme.

Engineers Ireland’s STEPS programme encourages primary school children to see the world of engineering that exists everywhere in their environment, in their home, on their street and in their community. Tandem actively engages with the STEPS Young Engineers Award, visiting schools, explaining to children what it is like to work as an engineer and encouraging them with their engineering projects. We always see a spark of inspiration in 3rd and 4th class primary school children when they are introduced to engineering through the Young Engineers award.

STEM South West and i-Wish are opportunities to meet with secondary school students, provide encouragement and to answer all of their questions regarding engineering as a career.

Our goal is to give our graduates rounded, cross discipline, full lifecycle training and experience, and in return we see inspirational young men and women contribute fully, enthusiastically and purposefully to the world of work. Working with young engineers is wholly beneficial to our entire operation.

This year’s graduate fairs have been moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions. This has not affected our ability to engage with potential candidates for the Advance programme. UCC’s first virtual fair took place recently and was found to be targeted and seamless, producing great results for our graduate recruitment campaign.

Tandem’s current graduate engineers have a lot of say about the Advance Graduate Programme:

“The support I have received from Tandem has made the transition from college to the work place an easy journey and I anticipate the experience will only get better as the years go on.” Evan O’Donovan.

“The experience I am gaining on the programme will no doubt be invaluable to my career as a process engineer.” Maria Costello

“The Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has given me vital hands-on experience working in the Pharmaceutical industry.” Gary O’Leary

Tandem is delighted to play a significant role in helping shape the careers of these young engineers and recognise very clearly the benefits we receive from their being part of our company. In Ireland, the Future of Engineering is strong and its potential is immense.

Advance Graduate Programme Update

In 2019 Tandem welcomed Maria Costello, Gary O’Leary and Evan O Donovan to our Advance Graduate Programme. Advance is a three year programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure graduates achieve as broad an experience as possible, on both a professional and personal level in these crucial first years of their career. By the end of the programme, graduates will not only have gained significant experience in their chosen discipline, but have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle which will equip them best with driving their careers further in the direction of their choice, while further building on the knowledge gained to date.

“I have just completed my first year as a Building Services Engineer in the Tandem Advance Graduate Programme. During the past 12 months, I have worked as a Black Utilities and HVAC CQV Engineer on a new pharma site. The experience has allowed me to work alongside clients and contractors on site and to gain an understanding of what is required when working in a commissioning role. With 2 years still remaining in the programme I look forward to joining the design team and seeing a project through from start to finish through the stages of design, installation and commissioning. The support I have received from Tandem has made the transition from college to the work place an easy journey and I anticipate the experience will only get better as the years go on.” Evan O Donovan

“The Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has given me vital hands-on experience working in the Pharmaceutical industry. During my first year on the program I have been working on site, allowing me to gain a broad range of experience working in a Fill Finish environment. I have participated in executing development trials of new equipment and introducing it into site. I will benefit greatly from the skills I have gained on site when I return to the design office for the next stage of the programme. Gaining on site experience that I can use to improve my design skills is the greatest strength of the Advance Graduate Programme”. Gary O’Leary

“My time on the Tandem Advance Graduate Programme has been excellent. I have had the opportunity to work on a diverse range of projects across multiple sites. I have gained hands on experience in aseptic processing and extensive knowledge of Fill Finish and cleanroom operations. My next rotation is in the design office, where the process knowledge I have gained can be applied to the project design lifecycle. The broad spectrum of experience that the programme offers allows me to not only gain experience as an onsite process engineer, but also allows me to work on projects from the initial design stage through to completion. The experience I am gaining on the programme will no doubt be invaluable to my career as a process engineer.” Maria Costello

We currently have opportunities for Graduates with qualifications in:

Chemical Engineering, Process Engineering and Bioprocess Engineering
Civil and Structural Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Building Services Engineering
Electrical Engineering

If you are interested in applying for our Advance Graduate Programme or if you require more information please click here.

Advance Graduate Programme

Tandem Project Management extends a very warm welcome to Ciara O’Connor who recently joined our 2020 Advance Graduate Programme.

Ciara joined Tandem as a CSA Intern for 5 months in 2019 and excelled in her work. Following her work placement, Ciara was shortlisted for the Joe Gantly Prize in Engineering from University College Cork in conjunction with Cork Chamber of Commerce. Tandem is delighted to welcome Ciara back and wish her every success.

Advance is a three year programme that aims to give graduates an insight into all aspects of the business in a structured and measured manner, to ensure graduates achieve as broad an experience as possible, on both a professional and personal level in these crucial first years of their career.

At the end of the programme, graduates will not only have gained significant experience in their chosen discipline, but have gained exposure to other disciplines, client sites and many aspects of the project life cycle which will equip them best with advancing their careers further in the direction of their choice, while further building on the knowledge they have gained to date.

Joe Gantly Prize in Engineering

Tandem Project Management Ltd. wish to congratulate Ciara O’Connor on her nomination for the Joe Gantly Award.

The Joe Gantly prize in Engineering is awarded to the Best Student on the Work Placement module in the BE (Hons) Programmes at UCC.

Ciara undertook her work placement with Tandem in 2019 and was nominated for this prize based on her exemplary engineering work. Four students were nominated, and on this occasion, Ciara was awarded a runner up prize.
Tandem is extremely proud of the work Ciara undertook during her placement and we look forward to welcoming her back this year as part of the Tandem team.

Pictured above are: Prof Jorge Oliveira, Head of the School of Engineering, UCC, Maurice Cunningham, Ciara O Connor, Colm Burke and Thomas McHugh, Chamber of Commerce.