Six Weeks In: My Placement Year At Global Commissioning
At Global, we’re passionate about building the future of commissioning - and that starts with investing in the next generation of engineers.
Our graduate placement programme gives students hands-on experience in the data centre industry, helping them learn how critical infrastructure is tested, certified and brought to life.
We caught up with one of our gradate placement students, Josh, who joined Global just six weeks ago. From induction days to site life, here’s what he’s learnt so far, and why he’s already planning to return after graduation.
Getting Started at Global
“My first few weeks were a great mix of learning and discovery,” Josh shares. “I spent four weeks in the Whitstable office, getting to know different departments and understanding how the business supports projects. It was detailed and intense at times, but I’m glad I got to see how each department fits together, it’s made me feel more equipped for what’s ahead.”
Now based on site, Josh has been busy learning the ropes and taking his first steps into the world of commissioning.
“Everyone has been super welcoming and nice. In the office, they really focused on giving me hands-on tasks rather than just reading documentation, which made a big difference.”
Discovering the Data Centre Industry
Before starting his placement, Josh admits he had little idea what to expect.
“If I’m perfectly honest, I had no idea what a data centre even was before I started. I never expected to end up in this industry, but I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how fascinating it is. It’s cool to think about how much of our day-to-day lives are powered by these buildings.”
Coming from a university background in power systems and electrical engineering, Josh found the transition eye-opening.
“At uni we studied small-scale systems, but data centres are on a completely different level. Seeing how commissioning fits into the bigger picture has been amazing.”
Learning the Ropes
From software to documentation, every day has brought something new.
“Something I’m still getting used to is the number of acronyms! Just when you think you’ve got your head around them, you open a new document and there’s a handful more,” he laughs.
He’s been getting to grips with Global’s in-house software tools too.
“Learning all the different types of software has been a highlight. I think it’s really cool that Cobia – the commissioning management platform – is designed in-house. I really enjoyed my week with the software team; it helped me understand how data centres are tracked, tagged, and tested from start to finish.”
The Team Behind the Experience
A big part of Josh’s early experience has been shaped by the support of the Global team.
“The HR team have made the process so smooth for me. They’ve kept me informed and made sure I’ve been supported at every stage. I’ve also had a lot of help from the guys on site, they’ve been brilliant in showing me the ropes and giving me hands-on tasks.”
When asked to describe Global’s culture in three words, he doesn’t hesitate:
“Welcoming. Helpful. Inspiring.”
And it shows.
“I’ve only been here six weeks and already enjoy it so much, after a year, I imagine I’ll be trying to come back as soon as possible,” he adds.
Looking Ahead
With plenty of learning still to come, Josh is already thinking about the next stages of his placement.
“I can’t wait to get more hands-on with testing, especially load testing and IST. I want to build my skills in commissioning and really understand the full process.”
More than anything, he’s excited about what this experience means for his future.
“It’s opened a career in commissioning I didn’t know existed. My time with the resourcing team also showed me how transferable these skills are — from wind turbines to data centres, commissioning opens up so many exciting opportunities.”
Future Talent. Global Mindset.
Placements like Josh’s are a key part of how we grow the future of commissioning. From office support to on-site experience, every placement year helps shape the engineers who will lead tomorrow’s data-driven world.
Interested in starting your career in commissioning?
Keep an eye on our Careers page for future placement opportunities.