Meet Phil Shepherd
What it is like to work in an Engineering role at AGA Rangemaster?
Phil Shepherd works at AGA as a product design engineer, having been with the company for over two years. Initially, he worked as a stock controller for approximately nine months. It was during this time that his managers noticed his skillset and capabilities, and they were the ones who progressed him to becoming a design engineer.
Meet Phil Shepherd
What it is like to work in an Engineering role at AGA Rangemaster?
Phil Shepherd works at AGA as a product design engineer, having been with the company for over two years. Initially, he worked as a stock controller for approximately nine months. It was during this time that his managers noticed his skillset and capabilities, and they were the ones who progressed him to becoming a design engineer.
What does my role involve?
I’m currently designing a new cooker/ a new appliance range. It involves creating the concept drawing all the way to an engineer part from doing the 3D modelling and the design work. I specialise in doing a lot of FEA and CFD work on the FO Fan oven.
We are all about developing – not only the next generation ovens from scratch but also improving the pre-existing ones to making them more efficient, also making them look sleeker and overall trying to improve our appliance range.
What do I enjoy most about my role?
What I enjoy most about my role is the challenge and the difference aspect of everyday. No two days are the same. You do one change and then you have another problem, and you must address that issue to bring it to fit in with standards and regulations.
The best thing about working for AGA? It is the people around you! The management team is always approachable. You have good colleagues around you. You don’t have to worry about making yourself look like fool – you can always approach anybody with an open idea without fear.
What is the environment like at AGA?
It’s very friendly and open, there is no awkwardness. I value that if you have an idea and you want to speak to somebody, the door is always open. I could go to speak to a director right now and know that they will have the time for me and address any ideas concerns or issues you may have.
As a young person I will say that age hasn’t got any relevance here, if you have a good idea or want to say something, your idea is just as good as someone who has been here 30/40 years. AGA want to improve as a business so they will invest in you, it doesn’t matter who is coming up with the idea, they want to invest in you irrespective or any other factors.
How did my progress come about?
My new role came as a shock! One day I came to work and as I was doing my normal stock controller job, counting stock.. doing what I was employed to do when my manager had a word with me. He put me forward to his director saying I have a skillset that is not being utilised. As soon as I got recognised for that I started doing some simulation work in the job I was in and from there the management team put me in the role. They offered it to me without me even looking! They progressed me – it wasn’t me asking for it.
AGA is very good at supporting career development. If you’ve got a skillset, if you can prove that you are worth it, they will push you forward without you even asking for it. If you show that you are hardworking, they will progress you and look after you.
How has AGA invested in your training and development?
Every year I have a 1-2-1 meeting with my director who is my boss at my current role – we will look at my personal development plans and we will discuss what we want to achieve over the next years – and any course you want to do, I can do because they are investing in me as an employer. In the past 12 months I have been doing a manufacturing course from an external company.
Would you recommend AGA to someone who wants to invest in their career?
I would. If you come here and are willing to work hard and well, they do and will notice. I’m convinced that you will progress here faster than anywhere else.
What do you do outside of work?
Outside of work I’ve got my own printer, so I do design work for a bit of fun, I do a lot of flying, I’ve got my pilots license. Once a month we meet up with the people from work and we go clay shooting, which is fun!
