Meet Some Of Our Graduate Trainees
Name:
Andrew Huddleston
Qualifications:
BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering Construction
Joined:
12 June 2006 (July 2004 for year placement, July 2003 for summer placement)
Currently
Tunnelling Shift Engineer at Hendon Site, London
Why did you select Morgan Est?
Good company to work for, worked for them before, good graduate scheme, challenging and interesting work, strive to be the best.
What's the working atmosphere like?
Very good atmosphere, always interesting and everyone aims to do the best.
How would you sum up your experience with Morgan Est in two words?
Expertise, dedication.
What do you do, day to day?
I work on a tunnelling project completing all the roles of an engineer, mainly coordinating the works, ensuring quality of the work is up to specification. Also I play a part in safety on-site including safety inductions and walkabouts, and sometimes walking safety and environmental auditors, advisors and visitors around the site.
At present I work on the Hendon project which is an extension to an existing cable tunnel, owned by National Grid, which brings 400kV electric cables into London. The works consist of 2 shafts with a 350m long, 2.5m diameter tunnel. The tunnel is excavated using an articulated shield with an integrated excavator, and the segments which form the tunnel lining are tapered so that the tunnel can form 20m radius curves.
How do you see your career progressing?
I see myself progressing to section engineer within the next couple of years, followed by progression through site management. I hope to remain in the tunnelling division for the foreseeable future, working on a variety of interesting projects.
What advice would you give someone interested in construction?
Once you have got your qualifications, or even in-between years at university get into contact with some companies, send your CV and you'll have a job. For people in education a placement year is a fantastic way of getting started in the industry and also makes your final year a little bit easier.
You should never get bored with a job in construction because no two jobs are the same, and if you get fed up with one sector you can swap to another, say road building to railway works. Each job has its unique challenges and you should never find yourself getting bored in this industry.
How easy was the transition from university to contracting?
Very easy, there is a big change going from university to contracting as you actually have to do things in real life, and get your hands on the job. Also you can't hand something in late if you don't do it in time, or only get 40% for a pass. When you start on-site you work with someone who introduces you to everything, including just walking on a site, then as you learn you start to act more independently. So to summarize there is nothing to be scared of, just remember everyone has to start somewhere.
What's the most satisfying aspect of your job?
Watching the things you have/are putting so much effort into taking shape. Some jobs you work and work but never see the result, other than a few numbers on a computer screen whereas in contracting you are actually out there watching it take shape. The best part is when you start with an empty site and completely transform it.
What are the benefits of being part of a scheme such as the Morgan Est's Graduate Professional Development Scheme?
The graduate scheme makes getting professionally chartered a lot easier, the scheme gives you guidance and information on what to do and when. Also you are allocated experienced people to help you co-ordinate your work and sign off your objectives, they make sure you are ready for your professional review.
What's the most enjoyable thing you've done so far?
The most enjoyable thing I've done so far is getting to work in the tunnels and shafts, co-ordinating the works and meeting/working with all the people involved at every stage of the jobs.
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