Construction Girl 121 <PositiveImage>
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 | A Day in the Life of | 163 dni temu | ||
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| Hello, As ConstructionSkills have been focussing on Professionals in the Positive Image campaign, I thought I would contact a professional I know to give us a taste of what a typical day in her life is like. Jane is the Managing Director of her own Architecture practice in Buckinghamshire, and a day in her world is: 'Well I am up at 6 and off to the gym if there is time. I make sure the kids are OK for studies, lunch etc, and then see the builders for a chat (we are almost finished building an eco-house for our family). I start work in the office about 8:30. There is no such thing as a typical day here as every one is different, but usually I have about one or two meetings with clients here or in their building, or go on site to meet the builders, then spend time with my staff to oversee their technical work, an hour or two doing design work, and the rest of the time stuck into administration or responding to emails. I am deeply involved with marketing the practice and planning for the future, and this takes a good number of hours of my week. I also chair various local community group meetings to review revitalisation of the local town, and do about one day a week of meetings or paperwork for the RIBA. Sometimes these extra curricular activities are very glamorous - I was introduced to Prince Charles recently, but mostly they are hard work! I go home if I can by 7pm, and the family cooks and eats together most evening before falling into bed for what I feel is well earned rest!' Sounds exhausting but very interesting to me! Dont know about you, but I am kind of keen to hear a bit more about the eco-house.. Might see if I can find out more - want me to share if I do? Tracy  | ||||
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| Can you imagine designing a new Parliament? | 167 dni temu | ||
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| Hey guys I just found out about this competition and thought it was kinda cool so wanted to let you all know about it... Designing a Parliament for the Future Event The RIBA 175 Schools Competition 7-17 July Westminster Hall, Houses of Parliament This year RIBA challenged schools across England and Wales to design a building to replace the current Palace of Westminster in one of the English regions that would meet the needs of the Government in the 21st Century. Entered by 124 schools the competition is being run to mark the 175th anniversary of RIBA being established and also the great fire that led to the construction of the current Palace of Westminster. Eleven regional winners aged between 14-19 have been selected and are now working up their designs with an architectural mentor in preparation for being displayed at the exhibition. The overall winner will be awarded at a special ceremony which is taking place on 7 July Entrance to the exhibition is FREE so if you are interested in looking at the winner of the competition visit www.parliament.uk for more information. I think i might try check out the winners when the exhibition is open! Hope to see you there! Tracy | ||||
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| Inspirational! | 287 dni temu | ||
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| Hello, I have just found out about this fantastic scheme that ConstructionSkills run that is perfect for you if you are about to start a degree in a Construction course. There are so many benefits that I just couldn’t wait to tell you about it! It’s called the Inspire Scholarship Scheme and its offers you the chance to go to university and come out the other end with minimal debt! How great would that be! Other benefits include: * Up to £9,000 financial support to help you through university! Good news in these tough economic climates! * Contact with your sponsor before you even begin your course. * A 10-week work placement with your matched employer in the summer of your first year - with the option of additional work experience. Which could help you get that much needed foot in the door for a job when you graduate! * Entrance into a competition where you could win further funding or the latest gadgets Obviously to apply you have to be looking to start a degree in a construction-related degree course this Autumn, if that’s you why not apply? All you have to do is go to www.bconstructive.co.uk/scholarship and apply. But be warned, applications have to be submitted by 28th February - so what you waiting for? Speak soon Tracy | ||||
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| The credit crunch effect and construction industry Apprentices - Tracy Bray | 441 dni temu | ||
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| Hi all Tracy here - How’s everyone finding things with the credit crunch then? I’m not seeing much impact in my area or company but if you read the newspapers, you’d think work had stopped on absolutely everything! Seems like all industries are feeling some strain, but I know the long term forecast for construction is still good – lots of growth in infrastructure and schools, hospitals, roads etc all as a result of Government funding. One area I think might be affected though is apprentices going through training at the moment – anyone heard anything about that, or having problems? Let me know... Tracy :-) | ||||
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| Women and Work programme | 526 dni temu | ||
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| This is one for the girls who have been posting comments on our page over the last few weeks that you've been facing difficulties as a woman within the industry. For support there are some organisations that are set up for women in Construction and other male dominated environments, including women in manual trades (WAMT), national women in construction (NWIC) and UKRC (based in Bradford). These people can provide support and help, both by finding contacts in your area and possibly even getting you a mentor! Also, I know ConstructionSkills have just entered into the second phase of their Women and Work programme so they will be able to offer support and advice too I am sure! Take a look on wwwbconstructive.co.uk to find out more. All I can say is don't give up as it's a fantastic industry to work in and you can make it! I am here if you have any more questions or issues. If I can't answer you I will ask either the Construction Crew or the people I'm working with at ConstructionSkills. Message me if you want to know more! Chrissi :-P | ||||
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| The challenge I wanted - Colin Slade | 556 dni temu | ||
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| Occupation: Quantity Surveyor As a Quantity Surveyor I always work on-site. So I get to see paper designs turn into real buildings. At the moment I’m working on a housing development project in Milton Keynes. My job is really challenging but rewarding, especially as now there’s a huge responsibility for the environment and waste management. There are so many things I have to take into consideration - local wildlife and their natural habitats, using sustainable products/materials and producing sustainable developments to meet the new green regulations. I’ve had great career opportunities and enjoy the fact that the job involves being hands-on as well as working with computers. I do a lot of problem solving and being a good communicator is key as I have to work in a team. The best bit is that I get to see a project develop into a final product, something I can be proud of and something that is of benefit to others. And I make a good living so I have the money I need to enjoy my hobbies snowboarding and surfing. | ||||
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| On Top of the World - Tracy Bray | 562 dni temu | ||
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| Occupation: Technical Product Trainer for an International Roofing Company I love construction because it’s practical, hands-on and every day is different. You should see the looks on some faces when they see a female roofer show up. Once they see what I can do, they always end up smiling. I got into the industry through my local careers office and the Construction Industry Training Board. I wanted a career change and the careers office people were brilliant. Construction’s great because there are so many opportunities to learn different things. The job I do is practical and varied (just like me!). I’ve met some amazing people who’ve given me the opportunity to learn so much. No one knows everything and there’s always something you can learn from the person next to you. I reckon the qualities you need for my career are a willingness to learn, be hardworking and motivated, be able to work with others and be able to take criticism. And when I’m not up on a roof somewhere, I love swimming, playing badminton and having friends over. It’s a roofer’s life for me! | ||||
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| Girl About Town - Vicki Baker | 563 dni temu | ||
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| Occupation: Commercial Manager (Quantity Surveyor) Early on, I knew I didn’t want a job where I was stuck in an office 10 hours a day. I wanted one that would get me ‘out and about’. So, while I was still at school, I fixed up a number of work placements with different types of companies within the construction industry during my summer holidays. This gave me the chance to see what jobs appealed to me. In my final year, we had a visit from the CITB (now ConstructionSkills) who told us about jobs and opportunities within the industry. I expressed interest and was introduced to a manager from Bovis Lend Lease who offered to sponsor me throughout university – which was nice – and so I became a Quantity Surveyor. The construction industry appeals to me as it’s exciting, interesting, has lots of great opportunities, has great people and every day is different. I love the fact that I’m not tied to a desk, and can split my time between the office, being in meetings and being on site – and you always have a good laugh! I have friends in the industry who are currently working in Dubai, Miami, New York and Australia. What other job would give you the opportunity to play a part in shaping a city or a town? I can drive past a project and say to my family or friends: ‘I helped build that.’ My spare time’s pretty busy too. I love going on holiday and am now learning to play golf! | ||||
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| Loving the Achievement - Colin McCabe | 563 dni temu | ||
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| Occupation: Civil Engineer with Balfour Beatty, Glasgow Initially, I wanted to design, then realised I was more interested in being involved in the construction of projects and schemes that will have a lasting effect and impact on people’s lives. I got into the industry by studying for a degree in Civil Engineering for four years and then getting a job as a grad with Balfour Beatty. I’m now in my 5th happy year with them. I love working with good people. The best feeling is standing back at the end of the project and looking at what you’ve helped achieve. In my job, you’ve got to be able to communicate well and to be able to manage and make decisions in lots of different situations. And you’ve got to be open-minded to change and innovation as well as using past experiences in challenges that you face every day. At all levels of the industry there’s the opportunity to better yourself and to help others better themselves. Everyone high up in the industry started at grass roots level, so if you have the ability and the right attitude, there’s nothing stopping you. As for free time, I play for Clyde Valley Rovers. I also love watching footie, going hill walking and hiking and playing snooker. And Glasgow’s a great town for socialising – the West End’s the best end! | ||||
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| In the Construction Business - Chrissi McCarthy | 577 dni temu | ||
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| Occupation: Consultant & Regional Coordinator for the Construction Youth Trust I run my own business, Bespoke Consultants, which offers support and training, and am also the Regional Coordinator in the North West for the Construction Youth Trust. I actually started my career at 13 when I blackmailed my dad into taking me to work with him. He was working on the Jubilee Line extension and I knew when I got on-site that I wanted to do a job just like his. I’ve never looked back. Dad gave me my first job as an unpaid gopher then I did a short stint as a Quantity Surveyor. I wasn’t really into Quantity Surveying so I changed paths to become a Site Engineer and that progressed to Site Management. 10 years of working on-site and I became what I am now, a business owner and the Regional Coordinator for the Construction Youth Trust. I find working in construction fascinating. The variety is amazing, whether it be the variety of buildings, job roles, people, locations or projects. The work I do and the skills I use are forever changing. I have to be good at organising, prioritising, communicating and maths, so there’s never a dull moment. The opportunities I got in construction were endless. I started as a trainee, became part of the management and ended up with my own company. So you could say construction has done wonders for me. | ||||
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