General Foreman Review

Working on new build sites under a site manager/projects manager acting as a number two. i would assist them on all day to day activities involved with running a site. including coordinating subcontractors, organizing materials, checking quality of works and ensuring a high level of safety is achieved at all times.

I have learnt just about every skill I use within my job from the training I have received. I have SMSTS, SSSTS, First aid, PASMA, scaffold inspection, asbestos removal/awareness, underground services, working at height, banks man, fire marshal, abrasive wheels, SEATS to name most. All of which are required for me to carry out my role and have given me new skills which have proved very useful.

I did enjoy the programme because high pressure time scales were never placed on me to achieve targets. I learnt and developed at a pace which myself and my line manager was happy with and i have reached where i want to be today in a pace i could cope with.

There was little structure to it as i mentioned previously i was almost left to use my own initiative to develop my skills. possibly if i had an issue or was not developing as fast as my line manager wanted a structure would have been introduced to assist me. but i was very comfortable with how fast i picked things up and didn't feel like i needed a set programme so it worked very well for me.

All the support i could have possibly needed. whenever i needed training it was always given and they were supportive with taking time off site to attend courses. anything at work that i struggled with i was always given assistance with and was never made to feel like i was being stupid.

I was strudying for my degree at the time is started my role. I didnt rely on the support of my company to complete my degree and took much of it on myself. i knew however that if ever i needed support it was always there for me. after this i began my NVQ level 6 through the company and again support was always there if i needed it but it was never something i asked for.

I wouldnt say that by getting a degree i am able to perform my role any better than if i didnt have a degree. but it gave me time spent on site and increasing my chance at understanding things i might not have come across normally. I understand the formality of having the qualification but feel like there are better routes.

Non that i am aware of, the company does not hold any social events outside of the annual christmas function which i do not attend. it would be really good if we did do team building activities as teams are always split and moved and there are always cases when you are working with people in the company you have never met.

Yes

They are a good company to work for because it does have a great 'team' feel and everybody works well with each other. there is not always that job satisfaction as typically work is stressful with little reward but i suspect most construction companies are the same wherever you go.

Always ensure that you get the level of support that you need and that when you ask for something you are being listened to. when things start to go wrong and you didnt ask for help then it soon becomes your fault. always speak up and say when something isnt right.