Jersey is usually associated with the finance industry and the opportunities for Islanders to join banks and accountancy firms. But what about those who are planning a career in construction?
CONSTRUCTION often feels the rise and fall of an economy sooner and more keenly than most other industries.
In Jersey it provides work for thousands of people, offering the chance for workers to develop a huge range of skills, trades and disciplines.
Each year the Jersey Construction Council celebrates the achievements of the sector at an awards ceremony that highlights the work of local businesses and the accomplishments of individuals.
This year’s awards were launched last month and will be announced at a gala event on Saturday 10 October.
More information about the event is available here.
Today the JEP speaks to five younger Islanders at different stages on the path to a career in construction:
Mark Brandon
Mark Brandon is a young entrepreneur who works for family business Sun Works – a solar energy installation company.
Age: 29
Occupation: Solar photo voltaic installer
Qualifications: GCSEs and A-Levels, Electrician (City & Guild level three), installation and maintenance of solar photovoltaic systems (C&G level three)
School/university: Victoria College and Hautlieu
What is the most enjoyable part of your work?
‘As I work in renewables it is great to know your work contributes to positive change in the way energy is generated.
‘Commissioning an installation and switching it on for the first time and watching it power up is always satisfying.
What are the biggest challenges you face at work?
‘Time management, every day. Working out priorities and dealing with important and high-value stuff first is always a challenge, but essential.
‘It’s easy to get caught up with one thing, so trying to implement some structure and good habits is key.’
Why should young Islanders consider a career in the construction industry?
‘Wanting to build on and improve the place you call home is a very respectable way to make a living.
‘Jersey is a great place to create the lifestyle you want and work towards being a skilled and valued person.
‘The Island is a place that attracts wealth and with it come quality tradesmen.’
What advice would you give younger Islanders to help their progress?
‘Show active interest in your work and you will automatically work hard.
‘In doing so, find an area you feel is relevant to you and that you are passionate about, as this is a sure way to make your working life successful and more enjoyable.’
Charles White
Islander Charles White joined project management firm Rowney Sharman as a graduate trainee project manager.
Age: 26
Occupation: Project manager with Rowney Sharman
Qualifications: Higher National Certificate Diploma in Construction (ongoing), Prince2 Registered Practitioner and BSC (Hons) Zoology
School/university: Victoria College, Highlands College and the University of Leeds
What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your work?
‘The satisfaction comes from seeing a construction project develop from feasibility, through to detailed design to the finished product.
‘Walking around a site and physically being able to see what was once only part of a design drawing is a great experience.’
What are the biggest challenges you face at work?
‘As a project manager I tend to be the first point of contact if any major issues arise.
‘It can be tricky, and quite often impossible, to deal with these in a coordinated and effective manner that achieves the programme and project.’
Why should young Islanders consider a career in the construction industry?
‘The construction industry is large and varied, providing many professional roles such as architects, structural engineers and quantity surveyors.
‘All these require very different skill sets so no matter what skills you may have, there will likely be a role suited to you.’
What advice would you give younger Islanders to help their progress?
‘Never get to a stage where you feel you have all the skills and knowledge required to carry out your job.
‘Technical advances in construction are moving at a fast pace, meaning there is always scope to develop.
‘This will help you climb the ladder and reach the top managerial roles.’
Troy Rees-Davies
Engineering student Troy Rees-Davies has been working with engineering consultants T&G Ltd during breaks from his time at university.
Age: 22
Occupation: Civil engineering student/structural technician
Qualifications: City & Guilds Institute Licentiate, MEng Civil Engineering (Pending)
School/university: Victoria College and Cardiff University
What is the most enjoyable part of your work?
‘Personally I think being able to visit finished projects you’ve worked on is very rewarding as it enables you to see the tangible results of your efforts.
‘Simply being able to drive past previous projects and immediately beginning to bore whoever’s in the car with you with an in-depth explanation of the intricacies of that particular job is oddly satisfying.’
What are the biggest challenges you face at work?
‘Juggling project deadlines.
‘Being able to meet deadlines for several projects that are running concurrently, whilst ensuring all the work is carried out to the same high standard regardless of whether it’s a new multi-storey building or a residential extension, is definitely a skill that needs to be mastered.’
Why should young Islanders consider a career in the construction industry?
‘Because it’s challenging.
‘From the relatively small amount of time I’ve spent in the industry it is abundantly clear that regardless of whether you have got 30 days or 30 years behind you there will always be new challenges to overcome.
‘It is about thinking your way through those challenges – that for me is the most exciting aspect.’
What advice would you give younger Islanders to help their progress?
‘Just get stuck in.
‘Try to get as much experience as possible while you’re still in education through Project Trident or the Institute of Directors work shadowing scheme, or when you start your first job out of school.
‘As long as you’ve got an eagerness to learn and despite the cliché, a “can do” attitude, you’ll quickly start to see your efforts pay off.’
Rachel Hayden
Islander Rachel Hayden was awarded an Arkwright Engineering Scholarship with construction multi-national firm Balfour Beatty PLC.
She has also launched a project called ‘Building the Future, Shaping our World’, through the International Women’s Academy, to promote women in Engineering.
Age: 17
Occupation: Student
Qualifications: GCSE’s. Rachel is currently working towards her AS-Levels
School: Jersey College for Girls
What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your work or studies?
‘Although the launching of my project involved a lot of work, researching and setting design criteria, launching a website and convening a panel of eminent judges has been so rewarding.
What are the biggest challenges you face with your project?
‘It has been challenging trying to change people’s perception that engineering has to be a male-dominated career.
‘Also, in order to promote my project and encourage teams of girls to enter, I have had to speak at different school assemblies and been interviewed on a couple of radio stations, which I found quite daunting at first.’
Why should young Islanders consider a career in the construction industry?
‘It allows a person to be creative and logical and it’s exciting to be involved in a profession that is building and shaping the future.’
What advice would you give younger Islanders to help their progress?
‘If you think it’s a field you might be interested in start reading around the subject and try to get as much work experience as you can.
‘I contacted a local engineering company and did some work shadowing to begin with.
‘This will not only give you more of an insight, but will hopefully also inspire you to work harder at school to achieve your goal.
‘If it is engineering you are particularly interested in, I would strongly recommend applying for an Arkwright Scholarship as it offers lots of great opportunities.’
Jackson Lowe
Carpenter Jackson Lowe now runs his own business after starting as an apprentice in 1997.
Age: 34
Occupation: Carpenter/builder/project manager
Qualifications: NVQ Level three in advanced carpentry and City & Guilds Level three in advanced construction
School/university: Les Quennevais School and Highlands College
What is the most satisfying or enjoyable part of your work?
‘Providing creative, innovative and cost-effective construction services within the residential market and making people happy through improving everyday living environments either practically or aesthetically.’
What are the biggest challenges you face at work?
‘Managing the admin side of my business and maintaining a healthy work/life balance and constantly having to explain that my company is called Lowe & Co not Love & Co.’
Why should young Islanders consider a career in the construction industry?
‘It offers people a career full of variety, change and potential for growth.’
What advice would you give younger Islanders to help their progress?
‘Be patient as starting out can be hard and it can feel unrewarding at times.
‘Perseverance and confidence will grow along with satisfaction.
‘Soon the pros will more than outweigh the cons.’
- The Jersey Construction Council launched its charitable fund, The Brick Foundation, at the 2006 Jersey Construction Awards and it proved an immediate success with over £2,000 raised on its first night in operation.
- The purpose of the charity is to raise money to fund projects related to the construction industry and taking place in the local community. The Brick Foundation says it builds for necessity, not for profit, responding to the needs of the local community and laying down the foundations for a sustainable future.
- Among the successful projects completed by the foundation was a full refurbishment of an outdated bathroom creating a modern wet room at The Jersey Cheshire Home to cater for residents with impaired mobility.
- In 2013 work was undertaken at the Maison Des Landes Hotel in St Ouen to replace their patio doors and upgrade their outdoor spaces to create a relaxed and enjoyable environment for their disabled patrons.
- In 2014, the Brick Foundation supported Durrell, raising money to refurbish the facilities at the Dodo Café. The four week project cost £58,000 and this was the largest scale project they have been involved with.
- The annual awards celebrated their tenth anniversary in 2014 with a gala ceremony on Saturday 13 September at the Royal Jersey Showground.
- A total of 11 awards were handed out and guests were treated to an evening of entertainment from award-winning Irish stand-up comedian Patrick Kielty and music from local acts Mica Young, Tony Gardiner and Jersey Bounce.
- About 350 people attended the event, including a number of representatives of the Council of Ministers.
- Speaking at the event, Martin Holmes, chairman of the Jersey Construction Council, said: When we planned the first event in 2004 I dont think we imagined that they would still be going ten years later. The success of the awards is testament to the dedication of the islands construction industry. There is not one Islander who doesnt benefit from the infrastructure that the industry provides on a daily basis. In the ten years since the awards started, we have seen the development of start-up businesses into award winners, which has been fantastic.
- The ceremony included two new awards, for commitment to health and safety and for the building regeneration of the year.
Who won what?
- Skills Jersey Young Achiever of the Year Award: Troy Rees-Davies of T & G Limited.
- Rossborough Sub-Contractor / Supplier of the Year Award: Hire.
- Normans Health and Safety Award: Jersey Electricity.
- Jersey Electricity Sustainability Award: La Collette High Rise Morris Architects.
- Insurance Corporation Consultant of the Year: Currie & Brown.
- Ronez Building Regeneration of the Year Award: Homestead Lowe & Co.
- Appleby Business of the Year Award: Larsen Group.
- Benest & Syvret Project of the Year up to £1 million: Mount Bingham Stabilisation Geomarine.
- Andium Homes Project of the Year over £1 million: Intensive Care Unit Refurbishment Currie & Brown.
- Hepburns Insurance Industry Achiever of the Year: Marc Godel Camerons.
- Jersey Construction Council Lifetime Achiever Award: Brian Blandin
The 2015 awards gala dinner will be held on Saturday 10 October. Find out how to book a table here
