Undergraduate Engineer Review

With my line manager being a Senior Design Manager I was shadowing them and learning about their role in creating an effective design for a new 35 story apartment block, while also checking specific workings on a different live project. Day-to-day in the office consisted of tender meetings, altering and confirming specific element designs (from the façade to drainage and floor plans), and ensuring specifications were met within the design (e.g. fire regulations and Gateway). Days on site were often spent setting out and snagging.

On site I learnt quite a few new skills such as using specific equipment for setting out such as a total station and a dumpy level. Courses were taken and certificates achieved in Fire Marshal training and CDM Awareness, along with the CSCS H&S test achieved externally. The knowledge gained by achieving these qualifications allow one to be trusted on and around site and given certain responsibilities. In different emergency situations I now have the skills to achieve a positive and safe outcome for all.

Given the responsibility of handling sensitive/confidential data and documents vital to a projects success. I was tasked with preparing the initial draft of a Contractors Proposal, including sorting out contents of the document, creating tables of the scope of works and adding in additional data only available to the project team. On site I took on responsibility when setting out positions of planters and wind panels etc, but also when helping in the snagging process as missed snags could have impacted negatively on the projects progress.

I received a great deal of support during my 3 month placement, from help with onboarding and settling in, to making sure I was confident in carrying out tasks I was given and that I had access to all necessary information and documents. Being invited to multiple tender meetings and project presentations meant I felt included in the process and learned a great deal. On site, guidance was often given on safe practices and how best to carry out a task to achieve accuracy or quality or both, depending on the task.

I felt other employees were welcoming and willing to share knowledge to enhance my placement experience as much as possible. There was a lot of hard work being done, yet also a good few laughs. The company is trying to do more for its employees which is encouraging to see, from diversity initiatives and mental health & wellbeing support with the partnership with 'I Am Here', to webinars and training on how to create a more inclusive and productive work atmosphere. There were also many different training courses for one to undertake to increase skill level and to gain certifications.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my 3-month placement with Sisk. I have had the opportunity to experience many different aspects of and roles within a project. I have learnt a great deal, from bringing together a tender package, preparing a contractors proposal and BIM software, to using setting out equipment, snagging to ensure quality and discovering the large amount of different roles and responsibilities within a project team. I would definitely love the opportunity to complete another placement with Sisk, perhaps on a different type of project to gain new experiences, and will be seriously considering the graduate program after I graduate.

Yes

Be openminded and willing to learn a great deal about the construction industry. Don't worry about specialising in a specific role too soon as over the 3-month placement you get the chance to spend the day with different people so you get to see what role you may enjoy most in the future. Be willing to get stuck in to different tasks and be confident in using your initiative. This placement is a great opportunity to further your understanding of live construction works and should not be missed!