TSA Insight Magazine Issue 19 - Magazine - Page 22
TAHYA SLAVEN
Electrical Instrumentation Engineer
What is your educational or working background?
My initial interest in engineering was sparked when I was selected to be part of the STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) team at the specialist engineering and
business academy I studied at in Immingham. I moved on to do my AS levels in physics,
maths, accounts and graphic design. After the year, I took advice based on a personality
and logic test to look for either an apprenticeship or to move into the forces! I took on
a government funded apprenticeship with HETA (Humberside Engineering Training
Association Ltd) in Scunthorpe, where I won apprentice of the year, before being selected
though the interview process to continue my apprenticeship with Inter Terminals. Inter
Terminals have since sponsored me to complete my NVQ L3 and HNC in both Electrical
and Electronic as well as Instrumentation and Control, both achieved at distinction. I have
since gone on to study HND and then a degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. I
am currently in my final year and on track for a first-class honours.
extra jobs to focus on my career and studies. Through Inter Terminals, I have developed site
experience as well as qualified in CompEx and other trade specific certifications. I worked my
way up to senior EC&I technician before recently being promoted to Electrical Instrumentation
Engineer at Immingham.
What has been your career journey to date/ your previous roles?
Prior to taking the apprenticeship, I started work at Elsham Activity Centre where I used
various types of equipment such as paintball guns, air rifles, quad bikes and archery
equipment and the focus was on responsibility and safety, dealing with different tools and
equipment. It was also quite a male environment and this didn’t phase me. Once I entered
the apprenticeship, I took a third job at a coffee shop and proceeded to work 7 days a week
for my first year. I was learning instrumentation, electronics, customer service, working
hard and putting in the hours. Upon becoming a technician at Inter Terminals, I quit the
What is the best part of your job?
My job satisfaction comes from solving complex problems under pressure and implementing
improved methods of working using my onsite experience.
What might a typical work day entail?
My role as an Electrical Instrumentation Engineer predominantly involves planning and
commissioning instrumentation working with flow, ph, pressure, level, and temperature gauging.
Getting involved in the design of systems to ensure they work effectively and improve on issues I
have seen when working in the field to avoid issues raised from onsite experience. I am involved in
planning routine PPMs - planned preventative maintenance - including standard functional tests
as well as inspection and testing. Some work orders are reported through operations and then
added to the system.
What roles/departments do you work with in the business?
I primarily work in engineering departments alongside the other terminal engineers and
maintenance technicians. I also liaise with operations and safety to complete work when different
parties are required.
