Age 28
Where are you based at the moment (who do you work for)?
I currently work for Abbeydale Construction in Cape Town.
In what year did you complete your honours degree?
2016
What path did you follow before ending up with your current company?
I joined Abbeydale Construction after graduating in January 2017. I started as a Site Engineer, then Site Manager, and now currently working as a Contracts Manager.
What is your current position and what does the role entail?
As a Contracts Manager some of my roles and responsibilities include the following:
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Planning and organising construction projects from start to finish;
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Preparing construction programmes (CCS / MS Project depending on clients’ preferences);
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Reviewing progress against established dates and the critical path;
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Preparing contract notifications and claims to the client’s Construction Project Manager (CPM);
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Developing and implementing quality control programmes onsite with the Site Agent and quality assurance / quality control (QA / QC Team;
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Ensuring that a healthy and safe working environment is provided for the employees by the health and safety (H&S) management team;
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Preparing fortnightly progress reports and issuing progress reports to the client CPM;
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Managing subcontractors, chairing fortnightly subcontractor and procurement meetings with the team;
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Working and communicating with the quantity surveying team to prepare and submit construction project cost monthly valuations and certificates;
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Drawing control - reviewing changes on current drawings and distributing drawings to subcontractors;
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Drafting and managing request for information (RFI) schedules, and
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Coordinating and supervision of onsite activities.
What advice would you give a current construction management student?
Get as much practical experience as possible. Use the semester breaks to get vacation work opportunities to get as much technical knowledge as possible. Never be afraid to get your boots dirty.
Hard work pays off. Have fun! We get to build some cool stuff. Enjoy it!
Lastly Network, Network, Network!
Network and socialise with industry professionals when given the opportunity.
What was your favourite module?
I would have to say EZGS (Organisational Behaviour) because I use it daily in my current role. Other honourable mentions are KES and KLS. Tough to pick one!
Who was your favourite lecturer?
A tie between Chris Allen and Prof John.
What are your plans for the next 5 to 10 years?
Contracts Director in the next 5 years and starting my own business in the next 10 years.