M&E Assistant Review

I joined Mace in 2015 as an M&E Assistant. Since joining Mace I have been involved in the delivery of 3 projects, of which 2 have been located in London (East India - Data Centre & Old St. - Residential Building) and another located in Surrey - Data Centre. My 4 year Apprenticeship includes a development training plan, which is used to help my learning and understanding of MEP systems knowledge. Every week is different, depending on what site activities are going on and what I have programmed to complete on my training plan. Some tasks involve being with a sub-contractor for a week to learn about a system, and some involve managing small package subcontractor works, with assistance from the Mace site team. Within the Mace apprenticeship there are various training days, getting the opportunity to visit other Mace projects around London - Last week we visited Battersea Power Station (phase 2), one of the biggest construction projects in Europe.

I joined Mace with A-Levels and no idea what mechanical and electrical engineering was about. I have however have furthered my knowledge in Mechanical & Electrical Engineering through studying part-time day release. I have already completed my qualification for ONC Building Services Engineering and I am currently studying for my HNC & NVQ in Building Services Engineering. I have been on so many training courses from working at height, gaining a MEWP license (drive machinery)and completing a 5 day SMSTS project health and safety course - the list goes on. There is always help and training available if you need it.

So far the programme has been very rewarding - such as looking after your own little package and seeing it through. Learning something new everyday is a familiar feeling now as I am always being exposed to different things each and everyday - it really makes the job very interesting.

I have weekly/Bi-weekly progress meetings to update my manager on what I have been learning - this is an opportunity to gain support if I don't quiet understand something, or get praise if I have done a good job. Looking after small packages means you do take on some responsibility within the project team, being called into meetings and sometimes questioned about things only you understand it a good feeling - it makes you really feel like a valued member of the team.

The programme is structured over the training development plan. The best way to get through the plan is the align it to your project programme to ensure you are getting the most exposure to site activities as possible.

Monthly tutorials ensure that I am always up to date with my tutor and on the right track with my assignment submissions. It also gives me an opportunity to ask the questions I might not have the opportunity to at a different time. I currently have a personal mentor who meets me every 6/8 weeks to go through my work and assess me.

I have weekly/bi-weekly meetings with my Line Manager to discuss my last week/two weeks and what I have learnt. This gives me to opportunity to discuss any training requirements I need or if I need to go to another project to have more exposure of a system.

I live quite far away from London and commute every day which is quite costly. However most expenses are paid for (depending on how long you are at a project for). Also if you need to go on a business trip then your travel costs are also paid for. I am pretty happy with my salary currently and it has been increasing on a yearly basis, depending on my performance.

The project I am currently on had a volunteering day to a local park. 20 of us went there for a day to help refurbish for the local community. Each week there are social events to meet up with people (mainly project teams going out for drinks). During Christmas we have a few Christmas events which are great.

Yes

Mace has fantastic opportunities both domestically and abroad - Half of my project team from my last project went off to work in Denmark. I have learned so much while I have been with the company, I feel like I am ahead of my friends who are currently at university studying similar subjects.

1) Ask as many questions as you can to ensure you are always learning something. 2) Always question the first answer you were given, there is always another answer or reason why you received that answer in the first place.