What our people say about working for Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
Jacob Homan, Engineering
The graduate scheme has allowed me to gain a wider understanding of the engineering processes that take place in the automotive sector across the world in order to be able to get a vehicle designed, built and approved for production.
In the two years on the scheme, I’ve had the opportunity to work as an auditor in a research facility for a vehicle manufacturer as an auditor, sometimes based in London at our Department for Transport office and in the US VCA office. It has been a great opportunity to work with a variety of manufacturers and get hands on testing some of their vehicles.
All of this has not only provided personal development and knowledge in the field, but also progressed me towards chartered status with the IMechE.
I’m looking forward to becoming a type approval engineer when I finish the scheme.
Charmaine Perks, Legislation Analyst and Manager
I joined VCA in 2018 after 27 years at another DfT agency. I am part of the newly formed Regulatory and Technologies Group – RTG.
I have felt very welcomed at VCA and quickly formed friendships and support networks. As a smaller agency I can usually find an answer or resource with ease because if they aren’t at my fingertips I just walk through the offices and ask as everyone is willing to help. There is a complete open door policy across all grades including the CEO.
Although the Type Approval processes and associated processes initially appeared complex I‘ve achieved a huge satisfaction from learning a new set of skills. I had relevant training and support to develop those skills required which are now organically evolving. I have a good rapport with VCA’s external customers and the RTGs internal customers. Each sub group of RTG has an Engineering expertise and members openly share knowledge to teach the non technical wider team members an appropriate level of understanding on a given subject.
Being in a desk based job the expectation to travel is minimal which sits well with my home life. I achieve a good work / home life balance with a considerate and reasonable line management chain. I am sufficiently challenged and feel my concerns are considered appropriately.
I enjoy my job and actually sharing time with my colleagues at VCA.