English Jasper Barrett, Project Manager at AB Dynamics and GEEP Mentor
In this edition of our Employee Spotlight, we meet Jasper Barrett, a Project Manager at AB Dynamics and GEEP Champion. Jasper’s background in engineering and project management allows him to excel in his role, while his commitment to mentoring future engineers is truly inspiring.
Can you describe your role as a Project Manager at AB Dynamics?
My core function is to ensure projects are planned, executed, and delivered efficiently, aligning with the company's strategic objectives and the AB Dynamics Project Lifecycle. This involves managing various projects, from large-scale New Product Design (NPD) initiatives utilising the full stage-gate process to smaller Continuous Product Design (CPD) and Engineer to Order (ETO) projects where relevant elements of the lifecycle are applied.
As a project manager, I collaborate closely with technical teams across the organisation to define project scope, create detailed plans, and manage project resources. I also oversee project finances and mitigate risks to ensure successful outcomes.
What unique skills do you bring to the table as a Project Manager with an engineering background?
My engineering background provides me with a deep understanding of the complexities involved in designing, developing, and verifying complex technical systems. This hands-on experience allows me to create realistic project plans that factor in the costs and lead times associated with NPD. Additionally, it equips me to identify areas with the highest risk and develop effective mitigation strategies.
Furthermore, I believe strong communication is a project manager's most valuable tool. My awareness and technical knowledge of individual project tasks enable me to confidently assess progress, communicate effectively, and pinpoint areas requiring support.
You're passionate about STEM and diversity. Can you tell us more about your involvement in the GEEP initiative with the Royal Academy of Engineering?
GEEP, which stands for "Graduate Engineers Employability Programme," is an Inclusive Leadership Programme created by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). AB Dynamics became involved in this program last year, recognising its alignment with the company's commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion within the engineering industry. The GEEP program's goals deeply resonated with me on a personal level, prompting me to apply to become a mentor through the RAE platform, alongside colleagues including our CEO, James Routh.
What motivated you to become a mentor, and how do you support aspiring engineers from diverse backgrounds?
Reflecting on my career journey, I recognise that guidance from a strong mentor would have significantly benefitted my professional and personal development. Often, transitioning into new roles, professions, or life stages involves navigating the unknown. Mentorship provides invaluable support and guidance through these experiences, leveraging the mentor's experience to help mentees avoid potential pitfalls.
The GEEP mentoring program focuses on supporting individuals in transitioning into engineering careers. Having recently been through the re-employment process myself, I understood the challenges faced by inexperienced individuals, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds. With my 10+ years of experience, I felt well-equipped to provide guidance on navigating the job search process, including CV creation, interview preparation, and job evaluation. It's inspiring to see this sentiment echoed throughout AB Dynamics, with colleagues utilising their experiences to empower others.
Tell us about the recent session you conducted with the GEEP initiative.
On July 10th and 11th, 2024, AB Dynamics hosted a site visit for our GEEP Mentees at our UK headquarters near Bath. This two-day event provided participants with a comprehensive overview of AB Dynamics as an engineering organisation. When organising this event, I wanted to remove boundaries preventing talented individuals from accessing opportunities in industry and therefore was grateful to AB Dynamics in covering the cost of the event for the mentees. Expenses like travel, hotel accommodation, etc. can be a major barrier to individuals from underrepresented backgrounds.
Day 1 commenced with inspiring talks from our CEO, James Routh, and Engineering Director, James Benfield, who shared their career journeys and insights. This was followed by a comprehensive tour of our design and operational facilities. In the afternoon, the mentees participated in a Track Test demonstration at Colerne Airfield where they were part of a Track Test demonstration, showcasing how the work undertaken at the design and manufacturing centres translates to real-world applications of our products.
On Day 2, the mentees were given the opportunity to do a short introductory presentation on their career aspirations and interests. They then observed an NPD project team review meeting. These activities were intended to give the mentees experience of presenting in a professional environment and gain an understanding of how project meetings are run and conducted. This was followed by a presentation and explanation of the AB Dynamics Project Lifecycle from myself, and overview of our Laboratory Test division from Mark Radley. The programme of events concluded with a demonstration of Ansible Motions’ Driving Simulators, with the mentees each taking turns to drive both conventional and motorsport vehicles in various environments.
Overall, I feel it was a highly successful event, which I hope will have helped the mentees transition into employment in the engineering industry, whether that be at AB Dynamics or another organisation. I feel proud to work for a company demonstrating its values like this and that the experiences from the event will help the mentees start their careers in engineering, some of whom had never stepped through the doors of an engineering organisation before. I am excited to see their careers progress and hope this has been as an invaluable experience for them, as it has for me.
About GEEP
Created by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE), the Graduate Engineering Engagement programme (GEEP) supports UK engineering students and recent graduates from under-represented backgrounds into engineering employment. The programme is a collaboration across industry with over 300 volunteers from more than 50 companies taking part since 2015.
AB Dynamics is proud to be part of the GEEP programme. If you would like to consider starting your career with AB Dynamics, visit our careers page https://www.abdynamics.com/careers/
