Last Modified: Mar 8th 2021
Name: Olivia French
Role: Assistant Project Manager
Company: Ward Williams Associates (WWA)
So tell us a little more about your journey into the industry…..
I am an Assistant Project Manager and have worked with WWA for just over two and a half years.
I was first attracted to the Construction industry when providing office management assistance for a large consultancy firm in Qatar, who were, and still are, constructing several of the stadiums for the 2022 World Cup. I was drawn in by the constant buzz of excitement upon winning a new project, the various challenges that a new working week would bring and the satisfaction of seeing a fully operational building constructed from the ground up.
After relocating back to the UK and completing a BA in Business Enterprise Management, I got in touch with WWA as I knew I wanted a career in Construction Project Management and was eager work with a reputable company such as themselves. After working with WWA for 6 months, they offered me the opportunity to enrol on an MSc in Construction Management, which I welcomed with open arms and have recently completed. As a Postgraduate I was able to enter my role as an Assistant Project Manager straight away, however there are opportunities for entry level candidates also via apprenticeships and training schemes.
As an Assistant Project Manager, I not only assist Lead Project Managers on their projects but also manage my own, which provides me with a range of opportunities to use my skills and knowledge built up throughout my career so far. A typical day starts with a ‘scrum’ style get together (virtual of course) with my project teams; this is where we discuss the main focuses for the week ahead and how we can work together / independently to achieve key deadlines for ourselves and the Clients.
I like the fact that every day is different and get the ultimate satisfaction when a problem arises and is solved just as quickly. I enjoy the diversity of not only working behind a computer but spending time on sites and seeing the results of a team’s hard work. Collaboration is one of the things that most attracted me to the construction industry and although independent working is essential, the success of a project is made up of many different parts and many different skills are required.
The industry is well known for its great earning potential and, outside of Covid restrictions, it offers many opportunities to travel whether domestically or globally.
The ability to clearly communicate is very important and is required in all aspects of Project Management. Problem solving is a daily occurrence and therefore forward thinking and having a pragmatic approach to situations, is essential.
Upon joining the industry, I was surprised to learn just how many career opportunities there are in construction (over 150) and that the opportunities within the industry are not as widely known about as perhaps they should be. I believe that there are many assumptions that the construction industry is predominantly based on ‘physical ability’, however this could not be further from the truth.
One of the biggest realisations I’ve had since working in the industry, especially in Cornwall, is how much of an impact this industry has on local communities. When working on a project it is very easy to get caught up in the construction phase, but once built, that’s when the real difference is made and it’s a great feeling to be part of that.
I would tell anybody to reach out to those they know working in the industry already, if possible, and to ask questions to learn more. Whatever your area of interest or expertise, do not be put off by the ‘male-dominated’ label the industry has been known for and reach for your goals no matter what!
I plan to continue progressing my career by becoming a Chartered Project Manager and ensuring I gain experience in the many sectors the industry works closely with. I would like to develop my skills and knowledge, learning from each of my experiences and also where possible, passing that knowledge on to pupils and students across Cornwall as a CITB Construction Ambassador.
Name: Jacky Swain
Role: Site & Corporate Communications Manager
Company: CEG
So tell us a little more about your journey into the industry…..
I saw an article in a local newspaper about the Carlyon Beach development in 2003 and thought I have to be part of that ! I joined the crew on the beach as an interface between the construction and the sales teams so negotiating & diplomacy were specific qualifications needed on a working construction site.
No day is ever the same. My site is a beach with public access and our primary concern is the safety of the public. There is a lot of community engagement involved from the general public visiting the beach to attending Parish Council meetings & engaging with many local stakeholders. Overseeing the H & S processes around any works being carried out on site and being part of the team producing the new masterplan for Crinnis beach.
I love working on a beach but I sometimes don’t like the weather when I’m out on site.
Flexibility and patience.
The many layers involved in development and the lengthy processes that need to happen from public consultation through to achieving a successful planning permission.
Go for it. Construction has multiple areas to specialise in and it can take you around the world.
To watch Carlyon Beach during it’s construction phase. It is one of the most exciting developments in the County and it will be a jewel in Cornwall’s crown.
Name: Elizabeth Staveley BA Hons PG Dip LA CMLI
Role: Practice Director
Company: PDP Green Consulting Ltd
Introduction – Elizabeth is also the Masterplanning and Landscape Lead in a multi-disciplinary team of architects and engineers that specialise in nationally important heritage and MOD projects.
Elizabeth is a Chartered Landscape Architect and has over 25 years of experience in the construction industry. She has worked extensively in the south east of the UK and internationally, promoting sustainable, ‘context-led’ development, particularly in the residential masterplanning and tourism sectors.
Elizabeth also has expertise in ultra-high, net worth client projects.
After 20 years spent working in London and the Middle East, Elizabeth returned to Truro where she was born and is supporting PDP Green with the expansion of the business and the diversification of the company’s portfolio.
So tell us a little more about your journey into the industry…..
I have always enjoyed working with interesting and dynamic people and I wanted to become a professional in either a construction related or legal profession. The property and construction sector seemed like a natural fit for me as it requires the application of law on a daily basis but my profession also allows me to be creative … as well as spend time out on site.
As well as the application of technical expertise, successfully delivering construction projects also requires ‘people skills’; no two projects are ever the same and large construction projects can often be complex and challenging. Having a creative mind with good communication and negotiation skills is really important. It is also beneficial to be organised and forward thinking, ready for the unexpected.
I first found out about my career options through my school career manager. I was advised that a landscape architect would suit my strengths as it responded to my appreciation of the environment combined with my preferred subjects of Geography, Design, Maths and English.
After A Levels, I began my career path with a 3 year degree, followed by a year in professional practice, before completing the post graduate qualification. After two further years of professional practice experience with mentorship, a mere seven years after registering for university, I passed the Chartership Exams and qualified as a Chartered Landscape Architect. I passed the Chartership exams with a high mark and was subsequently invited to be an examiner for my professional body.
A typical day involves meetings, calls and emails to inform and facilitate decision making at Board Director level. It also involves virtual reems of digital paperwork. Much of my work has a legal background. I produce governance, contract and compliance documents, including conveying design intent, specifications and programming milestones to keep our clients, team and work legal, safe and of a high standard.
I also promote creative and sustainable thinking in everything we do. Sustainability is more than green energy targets, it’s a way of thinking and acting, considering the impacts of our projects… on all parties, including natural communities and cultures.
Sometimes my day includes Business to Business meetings as part of the portfolio diversification aspect of my role and I am enjoying connecting into the south west construction network, albeit constrained by the pandemic presently!
I really enjoy meeting enlightened clients and colleagues who value working collaboratively with talented experts in a range of sectors. Seeing change happen in an open and inclusive way is the most rewarding part of what I do. By being open and inclusive, sharing change plans in advance with interested parties, dissipates fear and mistrust and adds value to projects. I also like supporting our talented and committed staff, encouraging career and professional development.
What is I like less about my career is that Landscape Architects are often brought in too late to the design process.
Successful sustainable development requires you to be a good listener, a sensitive facilitator and a persuasive negotiator. You need to be genuine, honest, see projects from different perspectives and understand that communication of ideas and change can happen in many forms.
Being a creative and resilient character helps – from design to delivery – a strong and robust design vision at the outset, that is fully bought into by all, reduces the opportunities for value engineering and construction alternatives later in the life of the project.
You need to be confident; you have the expertise and training and you need to manage expectations sometimes and have conviction in your advice and design.
Clients are constantly looking for the next best thing, the point of difference, the value attached to their brand. As a designer you have to stay ahead, constantly improve and develop your own points of differences by following trends and current affairs. It’s important to remain inspired to inform those creative skills too.
It’s good to know your onions! You are practicing the skills from law to psychology on a daily basis therefore continuing professional development and training is a must and is required by our professional bodies.
Having the ability to be flexible, adaptable and patient also helps.
How complex and expensive projects can be. How taking care of your consultancy fees and clients’ budgets is so important.
The level of skill and ability required for each project is impressive. The PDPG team has strengths across a range of technical fields and we often support each other. We can’t be experts in everything; some projects take years to complete, so it’s good to know your limits and when to ask others for advice.
Communication is not simple! People communicate in different ways – learn to appreciate their priorities, their fears, their perceptions and communicate everything numerous times in different ways.
Everything can be resolved over a bacon butty!
‘Go for it’ as I was once told. There are so many opportunities available and so much value that women can add to the construction profession. There is potential to develop expertise in a wide range of skills from marketing and promoting projects to investors and stakeholders, designing and creative solution finding to number crunching and programme management.
To establish a talented and proud masterplanning and landscape design team…. To continue to protect and enhance communities and environments …. and to earn enough to buy myself a small yacht to sail down the Malpas river one day!
