Yesterday we learned all about Islam who is studying at Nottingham Trent University and his role as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor and today we’re going to hear from another Nottingham student, but one who is studying for a BSc in Civil Engineering. Endri is one of our Operations Placement students on our Year In Industry (YII) programme and he says his best days have been when he’s been trusted and rewarded with more responsibilities.
He’s found his mini placements in other departments really helpful as he can better understand how each person’s work affects another’s and he’s enjoyed visiting numerous Winvic sites. Scroll on down and you’ll read how he’s now mastered some complex setting out tasks and how he’s gained confidence.
What projects have you been working on?
Since I started with Winvic at the beginning of July 2023 I have been working on the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton project. I’ve been based on the section of the site that will become 5 million sq ft of industrial facilities and I’ve been focused on the link roads, which go around the site and lead to the plots. The project has included all of the earthworks, a new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI), the construction of 2.5km bypass and a bridge over the rail line and other significant highways works. I have been working with site engineer Ammara who was one of the Year In Industry cohort of 2020/21 and an apprentice engineer Jack. I have learnt a lot working with these guys and have had so much opportunity to learn and practice engineering.
During the year at Winvic we undertake organised placements with other departments in the business so we can see what other teams do and how everyone works together. I recently spent a week with the design team and I was based with the Senior Design Manager, Giles. I found it really helpful to attend the meetings and understand what the design teams do because an engineer’s work is always impacted by any design changes. I spent three days at a 327,700 sq ft industrial warehouse project in Nottingham called Firth Way where I shadowed the site engineer and helped to survey the drainage installation before it was backfilled. I’m hoping that when my current project comes to an end next year, I’m able to be placed on an industrial scheme so I can see more of this sector. I also visited two other industrial projects for the day, Symmetry Park in Rugby and Peddimore, as well as Kent Street Baths, which is an 18-storey built-to-rent project in Birmingham.
How did you come across Winvic and what made you choose us?
I’m studying at Nottingham Trent University and had seen the Crown Place Nottingham student accommodation project being built, it inspired me to do some research into Winvic and I discovered that Winvic is the largest privately owned construction company in the country. I liked that the owners had made such a successful business and when got the opportunity to talk to Winvic at the careers fair at Nottingham Trent University I found out a lot more about the company and the type of work that it does. I recently represented Winvic at Loughborough University’s career fair where I was able to speak to students who are looking for placements for next year. I told them what I’ve done, what I’ve learnt and of course why they should apply for Winvic’s placement year! Whilst I was looking for my placement year, I contacted a number of companies and all the other responses were short and not engaging. Winvic were the only company to have good communication and answer all my questions, so they seemed like a company I wanted to work for.
What responsibilities have you had in the last five months?
My day-to-day tasks have involved setting out kerbs and footpath edgings of the link roads at SLPN and I did some work on the drainage earlier on in the project. In total there are 3 kilometres of on-site roads and I have found some of the setting out a bit tricky. For example, I need to ensure that the tactile slabs that aid visually impaired people are perfectly aligned and level in places where there is a change in level, like a crossing kerb or bus stop. However, any time I have had difficulties on site, I have always been able to call someone and ask for help. Sometimes they have been able to explain it to me or sometimes they come on site to show me what to do and how to do it.
The subcontractors are all very helpful too and I need to speak with them to check I’m doing things how they want. For example, when doing kerbs, you can start at the front or back, so we work as a team and it’s better for everyone. I have learnt how to use a robotic total station, GPS, and rotating laser equipment and this has been good as you can do setting out and surveying tasks on your own. It was different at university as you had to work in pairs. Doing it on your own means you know exactly what’s going on at all times.
What was your best day on site so far?
My best days on site have been when I have been trusted and rewarded with more responsibility. The first time my engineer left to visit another site I was given a couple of tasks to do on my own and I was nervous, but I was able to do everything without asking for help and it’s really satisfying to do something independently and get it right. I’ve been doing this for a few weeks now and I’ve found that it’s helped me to improve, become more confident and even more independent.
What is it like being part of the Winvic team?
Everyone on site is very genuine and helpful and there is a very good atmosphere, I love being part of a team. I sometimes think that I must be annoying because I’m always asking so many questions because I want to understand everything, but everyone is always happy to help me. I’ve worked a little bit on construction sites before because my dad and uncle work in the industry and I expected it to be quite stressful. However, even when there’s a challenge it has been very calm and everyone works together, which has made me enjoy coming to work. The days can be long and tough but rewarding and I look forward to coming in to work every day.
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