Find real world jobs you could do to Shape Your World

Rhys Edwards

As a Finance Graduate, I am really allowed to thrive and improve as a young professional, both inside and outside of the role, which is what attracted me to the scheme the most. I’ve been part of the Mobile Management Accounts team for 3 months now and have been given responsibility and freedom to perform my role from day 1. Right now I am in control of the month-end accounting for a type of mobile phone contract we offer, and have been given the chance to really make the process my own. Away from this I have been busy allocating different costs to their relevant cost centres, creating balance sheets, and preparing a £50 million pound journal.

Another great part of the finance graduate scheme is that you get to experience a real social aspect to work. I’m 1 of 13 Virgin Media and Liberty Global graduates in my office, with many more spread across the country and Europe. The company encourage us all to mingle, and I’ve already had the chance to go to graduate events in Manchester, London, and Amsterdam. With all this happening so far, I’m really looking forward to seeing what the next 9 months bring, and beyond that the next 2 rotations on offer.

Cherry Lisle

I’m the first point of contact for enquiries around the courses we provide and I am responsible for ensuring bookings are taken. I also work with our supply chain to arrange asbestos awareness courses.

Before each training course takes place, I make sure all relevant learner files are prepared and available to the participants. After the courses I then manage the payment process, sending out invoices and helping with any enquiries relating to this. I really enjoy working at the Gas Training Centre, the team are really supportive and have helped boost my confidence.

David Mellows

I work with the planning team to develop construction programmes and methodology, from initial concept stage, though the tender and construction process to final completion of a project.

The great thing about planning is that you are involved in the project from start to finish and I work with many different departments and organisations all with the common goal of completing the project on time.

Ian Brumskill

I joined Kier as an apprentice when I was 20 and I’ve been working on our project to redevelop Chester Theatre since February 2016.

My main responsibilities on site consist of supervising subcontractors on site, making sure the work is on schedule, and making sure all required materials are available when needed.  I also carry out quality assurance on the project and carry out site inductions for visitors. I supervise a number of site tours every week in addition to walking round with my mentors to identify which jobs need to be completed. Kier has invested a lot of time in helping me develop and I’m extremely appreciative of that.

Tony Roscoe

I head up a small team that aims to help improve health and safety behaviour in our business through the application of behavioural and cultural programmes

I love working with people (especially front line staff) in order to help to improve how we as an organisation operate. If we can engage with staff in order to improve how we operate, we start to create a culture of continuous improvement across the business.

Zoe Morgan

I assist in placing orders and managing work packages at SA1. I’m a site based assistant Quantity Surveyor, and I have very good hands on practice as I’m able to work closely with design and operational staff.

I love my job because no day is the same! I work with intelligent people who I am constantly learning from.

Ella Dawson

Hi my names Ella and I’m an Analyst Graduate at Virgin Media. I studied Biochemistry with French at university, and I love being an analyst because I can put the analytical and problem solving skills that I developed as a scientist to good use, but in a completely different environment.

I really did not want to go into a financial environment, and so Virgin Media was perfect for me: it’s a company with a great atmosphere, lovely people, and there’s always something going on which makes working here really fun.

Craig Garood

Construction contracts managers oversee projects from the start through to completion, ensuring that work is completed on time and within its budget. A contracts manager is sometimes in charge of a single scheme, or may look after several smaller ones.

Every day is different and every project is unique.Which means that I am actively problem solving and being creative.

Michael Simmonds

My role involves the implementation of our health, safety and environmental action plan by monitoring and mentoring other employees in our offices and on our projects in the central region.

I am passionate about my role because I have always loved the building of anything and when in the world of safety, it makes you feel that you are making a difference and assuring the safety of everyone on site. It is a very interesting career because you get to see how buildings are constructed from the ground up to the roof. It is a demanding job but I couldn’t see myself doing anything else, as the satisfaction you get when a project is handed over on time, on budget and with no accidents is a good feeling. I would recommend any young person as it gives you a satisfying feeling at the end of each day.

Ian Warren

I oversee the Design Management role in Kier’s Birmingham office which covers the West Midlands area. I also deal with the various consultants needed on our projects including Architects, Civil and Structural Engineers, M&E Consultants, Fire Consultants, Acoustic Consultants and more. I am involved at both at the pre-construction stage and construction stage of a project, so I get to see it starting and finishing.

I enjoy my role because we work locally and therefore we impact local communities. Also everyday is different, we work with different people, we work on different projects and sometimes we manage different challenges.

Helene Lubineau

My role consists of creating and monitoring the construction and contract programme on sites, currently I am working on two projects in Cambridge. I regularly communicate with the site team regarding the key construction, procurement and design activities. I record and report the progress on site, both  internally and externally. I also adapt the construction programme to optimize or mitigate if there is any changes in the process. I help to look forward and assist the team to plan the next activities.

I love this job as you are involved with and aware of everything regarding the site, communicate with all the subcontractors and every members of your team including the design, procurement, pre-construction and operational teams. As the planning team is generally very small, typically a planner and sometimes an assistant planner, you are a key element on site. As a planner you work closely with the project manager and assist them in order to help deliver the project on time. The planner role gives you a very multidisciplinary approach of the construction phase with programmed targets to reach, which is why I find it enjoyable.

Tim Boardman

I am responsible for the safe and successful delivery of highway maintenance and improvement schemes within the wider ASC9 delivery programme. My schemes are predominantly structures on, under or over the motorway network mainly within the Birmingham Box Area (M6/M5/M42). Our schemes are focused on maintaining and improving the motorway network functionality for Highways England and the wider economy. We always strive to do this safely, enthusiastically and professionally in order to give our client a quality and reliable product and service.

Because I absolutely love this industry and have done for nearly 30 years. Every day is different, full of challenges and opportunities to learn or improve. Our people, logistics and planning are fundamental to the safe and successful delivery of our works and I relish the challenges that these all pose when delivering projects. We ultimately leave the asset in a safer, better and improved condition and this has benefits to the wider society and our country as a whole. As an industry we typically do this diligently, quietly and without fuss; which I personally find very rewarding.

Stacey Botwood

I have been at Kier Living since 2013 where I started as a business administration apprentice and have since progressed to the role of apprentice coordinator.

Most days I visit sites to carry out reviews with our apprentices and make sure they are happy in their roles. This is the part of my job I love the most as no one day is the same, travelling to different sites and meeting different people. Being female, I never thought I would ever be working in the construction industry, but now that I am I can see there are so many different roles and a lot more females coming into the industry at high levels. For example, three of the directors at Kier Living Central are female!

Brandon Wood

I’m 18 years old and have been working with Kier for six months. I’m currently working on the Bitterne Park School project in Southampton as a site team apprentice. My role on this project is assisting the site management team in delivering the build.

My favourite part of the job is getting to meet all the different people involved in a project and seeing how they play a part in the construction work, as well as the planning that goes with it. I really enjoy being part of the construction team, learning from my colleagues and getting to experience different stages of the project.

Sharon Mitchell

My role involves working on business Improvement across the Property division. This means managing all elements of marketing, media, PR, business development, customer engagement, cross-selling, award submissions. I engaging with the rest of the Kier Property team and the wider Kier Group business to generate opportunities.

My role is varied and rewarding. My role has changed over the years in terms of divisions, strategy and project delivery. I have managed and interacted with a number of different teams over the years to encourage forward thinking, working towards a common goal of improved working, working collaboratively and enthusiastically.

Steve Musson

Kier has also given me other opportunities in operations, design and managing packages from pre-construction through to handover.

With the exposure and opportunities I’ve been lucky enough to have with Kier, I have gained the skills needed to manage the handover of a £80 million project and project manage a fit out in London. A typical working day for me consists of liaising with the pre-construction team and subcontractors to ensure everyone has the materials and information needed to build the project to schedule. My favourite is handing over the project to the client, ensuring they are happy with the work.

Jaqueline Stanford

As a Lead Business Analyst I lead a team of Business Analyst’s within B2B Transformation, within my role I manage the analysis phase from Foundation to Delivery, primarily focusing on all the BA deliverables which contribute to the success of the overall projects, within the analysis space I am responsible for the Detailed requirements, Business Processes and Traceability these are the core deliverable not to mention managing the Stakeholder engagement process within the teams.

I love my job because it is forever changing no project is the same and there is always a learning curve to be established which keeps me and my team on their toes, I also love the people I work with especially by BA team who all have great personalities which makes each day enjoyable. Last but by no means least I enjoy the atmosphere within Virgin Media, “Work Hard” and “Play Hard” that’s my motto for my team and I have been happy to find it here at Virgin Media.

Robert Toon

I manage the design process from inception of a project to completion. I work with and manage consultants to ensure a project is designed to client’s expectations, the correct building regulations and within the client’s budget.

I love working in a team and having a physical output to my work. From looking at a drawing on a page to seeing it built and transform the local area and peoples lives. Leaving a legacy is also a big plus!

Nicole Jermy

My team within Virgin Media help to manage the costs and expenses of maintaining our vast and growing network and ensuring that the business has access to all the IT systems necessary. Our team, like many, is vital in ensuring that the company continues to grow from strength to strength. My job varies on a daily basis but involves things from checking invoices that we have received and ensuring they match up with a tracker through to reading fibre contracts for information. One of the reasons that I love my role is because it’s so varied every day with new challenges and tasks. I also enjoy learning about new parts of the business, helping to grow my understanding of what is required to maintain a large corporation.

I see finance as being the backbone of every firm, and I love being a part of such a vital part of an organisation. Without a good and strong finance team most companies would struggle to maintain their business. With finance you can really see the difference that you are making within a company and I really enjoy that aspect of it.

The VM grad scheme is one of the best in the industry. They really care a lot about their graduates and this is one of the reasons that drew me to them. Also the chances that we get to experience three different very varied job roles with the year rotations was very appealing with each job role widening your knowledge and helping you develop further.

Jason Taylor

I oversee the regional Construction Business within South Wales. I am responsible for leading the delivery of business development, work winning, construction and aftercare of the buildings we create. in South Wales. I have the pleasure of leading around 94 staff who deliver around £100m worth of contracts per year.

Its a real pleasure to create buildings and improve local communities and leave a lasting legacy, where we work, live and play. To see our staff grow and develop and achieve the best of their abilities is always a pleasure.