Senior Design & Build Coordinator Review

My role here at ENGIE is as a Senior Design & Build Coordinator, working within the construction industry. We work alongside Clients and the wider design team (made up of Architects, Structural and Civil Engineers, Landscape Architects, Environmental Engineers, plus other specialists such as Planning Consultants, etc), to ensure designs for buildings and their environs are produced in line with the Clients wishes, that they are in accordance with required design criteria such as NHBC requirements and the like, plus that they are suitable for submission to both Planning and Building Control for their approval. When on site, we continue to review details and arrange for installation of new mains services, taking the scheme from inception through to completion

My working life has been within the construction industry, working as either an Architectural Technician or Building Surveyor, but always within the private or public sector - this is my first venture into working for a contractor, so new skills along with building on my previous experiences in and around the industry have had to be developed. This has been aided by having others around who have been carrying out this role for many years, so there is always someone willing to answer your questions.

The programme of learning new skills, honing existing ones and seeing where previous efforts of managing both people and projects could have been completed with more efficiency/less effort or delivered in a better way has all added to the journey. Without doubt, we never know all that we need to and we are never to old to start new learning programmes! All-in-all, a very enjoyable time with other like-minded members of staff, all learning new skills.

The programme is very well both structured and organised, this being split into 8 discrete modules with knowledge based and skill based assessments within each module. This gives us the opportunity to learn about the module in the first instance and then put our new found knowledge into practice, looking for feedback from our peers and managers alike plus from others that we work with both from within and from outside the business

Support has always been there from the employer, given that it was the employer who offered the course rather than us having to seek it out. Time is required to complete the course and so some works has to be undertaken outside the workplace. However, much of the training is within workplace with off-the-job training, this requiring a commitment of 20% of work time

Support from the training provider is brilliant - working as a group, we meet with the adviser on a regular basis, and have access to them either over the phone or via e-mail. If answers to questions are not known, then the adviser will investigate and come back with an answer. Even though we are a group undertaking this apprenticeship, we get a great personal service.

In working through this apprenticeship, we are learning more about ourselves and what makes us as well as what makes others, tick. Moreover, it has highlighted the ways in which we do, without realising, make decisions based on bias, teaching us to take a step back before making a decision, making us think whether what we decide will have a good or bad outcome, how we can do things better, not only for ourselves, but for others within the team. Everything we learn can be put into practice on a daily basis.

I've always found Engie Regeneration to be a friendly place to work, with good support from upper management. There is a (free!) Christmas party every year, plus people are always bringing in cakes for their birthdays. First Friday of each month is dress down day, plus a raffle, with proceeds going to charity. We are encouraged to do at least one volunteer day each year and can do up to three, with time paid for by the company. Given the regeneration type of work we often carry out, this gives further opportunity or voluntary initiatives within the local communities. There are some who play football on a regular basis, whilst others attend networking events. This year, Engie is sponsoring several marathons and half marathons, with free entry to those who wish to enter.

Yes

I had previously worked with Engie Regeneration as a consultant and always noted how positive the staff were, with good leadership and management. Parts of the company has since undergone some wide range changes, but the management ethos has stayed fairly constant, with support being offered as and when needed.

I found the application process simple and easy to use. With regards to the interview, i was in a good position, already having worked with my manager, but even so, an interview is still an interview! Be honest, dress for the part. Learn about the company and the part you're applying to. Understand the Engie values: DRIVE - Guaranteeing our performance over the long term for all our stakeholders, continually seeking efficiency and innovation on behalf of our clients and in the public service. COMMITMENT - Advancing the Group's development with respect for the planet while providing essential services for people. DARING - Living in the present with optimism and building for the future with creativity. COHESION - Mobilising all our strengths with a shared spirit of teamwork to make energy and the environment sustainable sources of progress and development. Understand that you'll be part of a large multinational company, where you can remain as a name rather than a number, receiving the support you need to progress to become the best you that you can be.