Ben Hatch is currently working as a site manager for BAM Construction.
What are your future career ambitions?
I am currently a site manager at BAM Construction. My short-term aspirations will be to progress up to senior management, a level above where I am now. And then my long-term aspiration is working at a senior level for a tier 1 contractor.
I want to work for an employer who is consistently producing successful and high-quality projects. Overall, it’s hugely important to me to keep enjoying my career.
What do you think is the most important issue facing the industry?
I think there are three issues: skilled labour shortages; legal and regulatory issues around running projects including the inclusion of the new Building Safety Act; and bridging the gap between the newer and older generations within construction.
Because people have been doing it for 30 odd years, they feel adapting to new rules and safety changes is ‘management telling us how to do our job’. The newer generation are taught with that mindset from day one so it’s less of an issue on site.
What was your favourite project during your apprenticeship?
I was on one project for six years (a hospital), but it was split into about seven different projects.
My favourite one was probably the level E operating theatres – which was the first project that I ran as lead site manager. With that confidence, I had the belief that I’ve done it once, I can do it again.
What would be your dream project to work on in the future?
It would be good to be involved in a large new-build football stadium. It would be good to see a project regularly in the media and on TV that you have been a part of. And a big project like that would be really good to add to your CV.
