Graduate Opportunities

Name: Ammara Dassu
Placement: Trainee Site Engineer between July 2020 and September 2021
Permanent Role: Site Engineer
Studied: BSc (Hons) Civil Engineering

Describe Your Role: At the start of my year out at Winvic I learned a lot with the health and safety department who took me round different sites and gave me a full overview of Winvic’s ‘Doing It Right’ approach and commitments. I started to shadow a site engineer at Mercia Park, and I helped on the groundworks, levels for manholes and the storm and foul drains. As the weeks went on, I started to feel more confident and I was given more responsibilities across many areas, like the substations, kerbs, footpaths, cycleways, roads, roundabouts, water mains and ducts for other services. For example, in setting out the footpaths I would use my equipment to measure the required width from the kerb that has been installed, spray the areas, check the levels and use tape to mark where the edging should be laid to. I then work closely with the subcontractors to examine the finish. It’s felt really amazing that the team trusts me to carry out tasks independently and I think I’ve learned much faster this way.

Advice for people wanting to join Winvic? Don’t get too worried because everyone is on your side, and they understand you’re learning – at first, I felt too nervous to ask questions to experienced members of staff. It feels a bit silly to say this now because I quickly learned there wasn’t a single person who didn’t genuinely want to help me progress, asking questions is how you learn faster and there isn’t such a thing as a stupid question.

Name: Sam Moore
Placement: Year in industry Trainee Site Engineer between July 2021 and September 2022
Permanent Role: Site Engineer
Studied: BSc (Hons) Construction Management

Describe Your Role: I’m responsible for setting out different packages of works and ensuring subcontractor teams deliver that work correctly, which means I carefully follow our quality assurance process. After I’ve understood the drawings, I convert the information,  upload it to the total station and mark out what needs to be installed where. I brief the team and then routinely check their work  throughout the day, so building good relationships is crucial. At the PLP Bessemer Park industrial project, I oversaw the S278 works comprising highways widening, constructing bell mouth entrances and central reservation islands. It was important to know where existing underground services were, keep records of the services we installed and ensure everything was rigorously checked against regulations. In March 2024, I started working on a new project, Atlantic Park Liverpool, and I’ve been working on the deep drainage, shallow drainage, service ducting and kerbs. I’m also mentoring a Year in Industry student. I’ve really enjoyed sharing my knowledge and helping someone else get to where I am today.

Advice for people wanting to join Winvic? Keep an open mind about the roles available and if you’re offered the chance to learn about different disciplines, take it! When I started my Year in Industry placement, I wanted to be a site manager, but after being exposed to what a site engineer does, I changed my mind. At Winvic, you won’t be hiding in the site office, you’re out on site most of the time and being hands on is the best way to learn. Hard work and having the right attitude are valued, so be prepared to get stuck in.