Industrial Placement

About AkzoNobel

Since 1792, we’ve been supplying the innovative paints and coatings that help to color people’s lives and protect what matters most. Our world class portfolio of brands – including Dulux, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the globe. We’re active in more than 150 countries and use our expertise to sustain and enhance the fabric of everyday life. Because we believe every surface is an opportunity. It’s what you’d expect from a pioneering and long-established paints company that’s dedicated to providing sustainable solutions and preserving the best of what we have today – while creating an even better tomorrow. Let’s paint the future together.

Industrial Placement Student – Engineering

AkzoNobel – Stowmarket, Suffolk

1‑Year Industrial Placement

Salary £24,000

At AkzoNobel, we’ve been pioneering a world of possibilities for more than 200 years. As a global leader in paints and coatings, our products bring surfaces to life across more than 150 countries. Our portfolio – including Dulux, Cuprinol, Polycell, International, Sikkens and Interpon – is trusted by customers around the world, and our Stowmarket site plays a key role in that success.

We believe our business grows as fast as our people do. That’s why our Industrial Placement programme is designed to give you real responsibility, real learning, and real impact from day one.

About the Role

Join our Engineering team at the Stowmarket Decorative Paints plant as an Industrial Placement Student, where you’ll gain hands‑on experience in a fast‑paced manufacturing environment. This placement offers a unique opportunity to apply your engineering knowledge to real projects, support ongoing site improvements, and contribute to the delivery of our Capital Expenditure (CapEx) programme.

As part of our team of experienced engineers, you’ll be involved in a variety of activities that help ensure the safety, reliability, efficiency, and sustainability of our site operations.

Key Responsibilities

During your placement, you’ll have the chance to:

• Support engineering tasks related to the site’s ongoing Capital Expenditure programme.
• Assist with plant investigations, analysing process performance and identifying opportunities to improve reliability and efficiency.
• Get involved in engineering projects across mechanical, electrical, process and manufacturing disciplines.
• Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives aimed at reducing energy use, streamlining processes and enhancing asset performance.
• Work alongside cross‑functional teams including manufacturing, maintenance, safety and supply chain.
• Develop, present and potentially lead your own project ideas, gaining valuable project management experience.
• Participate in troubleshooting activities and provide engineering support to day‑to‑day operations.

What We’re Looking For

Essential:

• Currently studying for a degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Process, Manufacturing or related discipline).
• Expected to achieve a minimum 2:1 degree classification.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• A proactive mindset and willingness to learn.
• Confident communicator with the ability to work in a team environment.
• Enthusiasm for engineering within a manufacturing setting.

Desirable:

• Interest in sustainability, process optimisation or continuous improvement.
• Previous experience in an industrial or technical environment (not essential).
• Ability to think creatively and bring fresh ideas to engineering challenges.

What We Offer

• A meaningful 12‑month placement with real responsibility.
• Training, mentoring and support from experienced engineering professionals.
• Opportunities to contribute to high-impact engineering and site improvement projects.
• Exposure to a world‑class manufacturing environment with a strong safety and sustainability culture.
• Employee benefits including holiday allowance, staff discounts and access to wellbeing resources.
• A great foundation for future graduate opportunities within AkzoNobel.

Be Part of Something Bold

At AkzoNobel, we’re committed to shaping a more sustainable future — and we need people like you to help us get there. If you’re ready to apply your engineering knowledge, grow your skills and make an impact in a global organisation, we’d love to hear from you.

Apply online today and start your journey with AkzoNobel.

For more information please visit www.akzonobel.com 

© 2024 Akzo Nobel N.V. All rights reserved.

At AkzoNobel we are highly committed to ensuring an inclusive and respectful workplace where all employees can be their best self. We strive to embrace diversity in a context of tolerance. Our talent acquisition process plays an integral part in this journey, as setting the foundations for a diverse environment. For this reason we train and educate on the implications of our Unconscious Bias in order for our TA and hiring managers to be mindful of them and take corrective actions when applicable. In our organization, all qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age or disability.

Requisition ID: 52188