Case studies: Assistant site manager: Rhys

Rhys describes a typical working day as a graduate trainee in a construction company...

Whilst at university, and after graduating, I applied for jobs with companies that had a graduate training scheme and those that didn’t. I looked for vacancies in the construction press as well as on individual company websites. I also sent in my CV and followed it up with a telephone call even if they weren’t advertising for staff, so that they had my CV on file if any future roles came up.

I eventually got my current job as a graduate trainee assistant site manager through a friend I was at university with. He had been working whilst studying and contacted me when his company started to recruit graduates. His recommendation got me an interview. 

Studying construction management helped me secure my current position as it gave me a well-rounded knowledge of the construction industry and the processes involved. It enabled me to understand aspects of construction from reading drawings to managing the different trades involved on site - the skills that I use on a daily basis.

Whilst at university I also worked part time for three years with a pensions company. This experience gave me the office skills I needed for future employment. I learnt how to do everything from filing to dealing with people's money in a professional environment. I also coached cricket to children aged 10-18 years at my local cricket club. Both these roles developed my people and management skills as I worked with people of diverse ages, backgrounds and nationalities.

My typical day starts at 7.30am when I issue all the permits to work and drawings to subcontractors. At 8.30am I induct anyone who needs inducting onto site and get them to sign their method statements allowing them to work on site. At 9am I walk around the site ensuring everyone is okay and work is commencing. I resolve any issues the subcontractors are faced with and ensure that our labourers are undertaking their jobs as requested.

Then, for the rest of the day, I deal with the weekly and daily audits, issue drawings and talk box talks, take noise assessments and keep a daily dairy. On site, I ensure that all works are running smoothly and that all operatives are keeping to health and safety policies.

I enjoy working on site and being in the thick of the action. I enjoy the challenges and issues thrown at me on a daily basis and am continuing to learn in an ever-changing environment. I also enjoy dealing with the different trades and understanding the issues faced whilst trying to complete the project, as well as working with different people and being part of a team delivering a successful project.

The most challenging part of the job is dealing with each individual and their problems, as well as understanding the drawings. If you can understand the drawings and confidently relay the necessary information to the subcontractors, co-coordinating their productivity, work is easy. A lot of the time, however, there are details missing from the drawings, which means having to go back to the design team and requesting further information. This can cause problems, especially when there are a number of trades working in the same area.

My advice to others is to go to university and study a course that appeals to you. Whilst studying, try and get site experience with a company or a builder as this will develop your training tenfold.

AGCAS

Sourced by AGCAS editors

Date: 

May 2010

© Copyright AGCAS & Graduate Prospects Ltd | Disclaimer