I became interested in joining the construction industry when I attended an open day at Bolton University and sat in a presentation about becoming a Civil Engineer. At the time I was 29 years old and looking to develop a career. However, I had two young children aged 9 and 5 and knew that it would be a challenge. The course was to last 5 years but thankfully I had the full support of my parents who kindly offered to help.
The course interested me as it covered various subjects and could lead to different opportunities in the industry, i.e Structural Engineer, Site Engineer, Health and Safety and Site Management.
I obtained by HONS Degree in Civil Engineering 5 years later and choose to continue my career working on site as a Site Engineer. This meant that I had to deal with both the operatives on site, other engineers and the senior management. The work was varied and interesting consisting of setting out for drainage/roads/buildings/surveying and learning volumes packages and further developing my experience in CAD to be able to produce drawings to support surveys/carry out take offs and accessing setting out information.
I have worked for various Construction companies over the years, either permanent or working for myself from aged 43 years.
I joined Murraywood Construction in May 2012 as a Setting Out Engineer on the Manchester City FC Training Grounds and have worked for them since. They have been very supportive as a company and in my opinion are one of the best construction companies to work for.
In 2012/13 after a forced absence, through which Murraywood were brilliant, very supportive, and welcoming when I was recovered sufficiently to return to work,
they offered me a position of Temporary Works and QA Manager at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital where they had just received a large groundworks package. I worked there for over 2 years during which Murraywood provided further AutoCAD Training and when the project was coming to an end they asked if I would like to join them in the Health and Safety Department.
I completed the NEBOSH General Certificate in Construction and I am now working towards my NEBOSH Diploma, which I hope to complete later this year.
Murraywood have encouraged me to further my education throughout my employment with them and I am very grateful for their support and guidance.
There is a great opportunity to forge lifelong friendships and relationships whilst pursuing a career in construction whether you chose an office or site based role. You will always be a valued member of a team, working alongside likeminded individuals. Together you will be working on creating and delivering projects you can look back on and feel accomplished for completing together.
I would thoroughly recommend any young or like me an older person (at the time), whether male or female to consider a career in construction. There are many routes to take, whether it be an apprenticeship on site or an academic course, either, believe me, is worth it!!
