Trainee site engineer Viktoriia Grachova from Ukraine is making her mark in the construction industry. Nadine Buddoo spoke to her.
As a T-level student, balancing hands-on experience with academic studies can be hugely demanding. But it’s a challenge that Viktoriia Grachova is taking in her stride.
Last October, the 17-year-old was recognised at the Department for Education’s (DfE) National Apprenticeship and Skills Awards for her confidence, communication skills and problem-solving abilities.
Grachova received the East Midlands T-level Student of the Year award and was shortlisted for the national trophy.
Despite this early career success, her route into construction has been far from conventional. Originally from Ukraine, Grachova relocated to the UK following the conflict with Russia.
After being displaced from her homeland, the trainee undertook her GCSEs in the UK as the first step towards becoming a construction site engineer.
Grachova secured a placement at Winvic for her Construction: Survey, Design, and Planning qualification and has had the opportunity to work on one of the contractor’s most complex projects: the 33-storey purpose-built student accommodation scheme, Crown Place Birmingham.
“Growing up in Ukraine, construction did not initially appeal to me – I had never thought I would go into this type of career,” Grachova says.
‘I became more curious about buildings’
“However, over time I began to notice unique design details in buildings that made me think differently about this field and I became more curious about how buildings are designed to withstand various loads while maintaining an aesthetic appeal.”
As a young construction professional, Grachova is well-placed to help encourage fresh talent into the industry. She believes anyone with “a curious and open mind and a passion for exploration” should consider a career in construction.
“I think as new innovations and digital tools continue to develop, more and more young people will be attracted to the industry and thrive due to their familiarity with technology,” she says.
Her advice to other young people at the start of their career journey is not to be afraid of making mistakes because “they are valuable learning experiences that help you grow”.
She adds that it is important to “embrace each challenge as an opportunity to improve your knowledge and skills” and “keep asking questions to expand your understanding”.
“Construction is constantly evolving, so a willingness to adapt and keep learning is a good attitude to have in building a fulfilling career.”
