Having swapped a job in hospitality for an apprenticeship with Morgan Sindall, this site manager has proved that it’s possible to change career successfully
What’s a typical day in your apprenticeship?
As an apprentice site manager completing a six-month rotation in six disciplines, every day is a mix of site visits, subcontractor meetings or client discussions.
I am currently shadowing a senior quantity surveyor onboarding subcontractors, managing comparisons and hosting pre-let meetings with our supply chain.
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This also involves visiting our site, Limebrook Primary School and Nursery in Maldon, to track the progress on site so we can accurately evaluate payments to subcontractors and our own application to the client.
What specific skills, knowledge and attributes do you need for your role?
I came into this role with only classroom knowledge of the industry and unrelated work experience in hospitality.
I need to be adaptable to work in a fluid environment. Each of my rotations has challenged me to learn new skills, such as computing, management processes, document control and general organisation
Liz Moss, Morgan Sindall Construction
Being enthusiastic to learn allowed me to develop my knowledge base into practical functions I could use and take forward in my career.
I am now two years into my apprenticeship. The industry has a diverse talent pool that I can tap into to support my own career progression.
Interpersonal skills are invaluable to access support and guidance from peers and colleagues.
What is the most challenging aspect of your apprenticeship?
As my role is interchangeable, I need to be adaptable to work in a fluid environment. Each of my rotations has challenged me to learn new skills, such as computing, management processes, document control and general organisation.
For an apprentice, construction is mentally stimulating but the responsibility can be daunting. However, I am constantly supported by my peers at Morgan Sindall to guide me through my professional development.
And what do you find most rewarding?
I was given the opportunity to support our sites with the Considerate Contractors Scheme audit, alongside taking a proactive role to hit our sustainability targets. Responsibilities like these have supported my career aspirations.
In addition, I get a strong sense of satisfaction by working in a team to make a difference for local communities.
For example, our latest innovation at Limebrook has reduced our site carbon emissions by 52 tonnes.
We used a prefabricated reinforcement solution that created programme savings on site and a high percentage of waste reduction compared with traditional loose bar installation. I am incredibly proud to be part of the project.
What are your long-term career goals?
After completing my apprenticeship, I would like to progress into a more senior construction role.
I am keen to influence the industry’s adoption of strategies to tackle the climate crisis. I am hugely passionate about this issue and committed to helping drive positive change across the industry.
