Find real world jobs you could do to Shape Your World

Jamie Daniels

I look after Kier’s fleet vehicles on our TOR2 contract. From inspections, to services, to repairs; there’s not much I don’t do! I’ve always loved cars and I’d like to run the garage one day. My apprenticeship is helping me on my way to accomplishing this; I’ve already achieved my level two light vehicles and levels two and three heavy goods vehicles qualifications.

I’m well looked after – my team is a great bunch and Kier’s a good company to work for. I know an apprenticeship can seem scary, but everyone has been really helpful. The friendly environment has really brought me out of my shell, which has helped me in life as well as work.

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.

Philip Lavelle

I manage a whole team of people to ensure that a major construction project is delivered safely, in budget on time and walk away with a very satisfied customer. My job gives me autonomy and the freedom to innovate and look at new ways of doing things. The people are the most important thing on any project and successful teams are not created by accident they require a plan and a strategy.

I love my role because of the autonomy it gives me to in effect run my own business and gives me variety as no two days are ever the same. I enjoy good communication with all my team and like the fact that at the end of each day I can actually see what has been achieved.

Kieran Jassal

I enjoyed the variety of work and learning that’s part of my apprenticeship. My work is not repetitive, each job is different. My mentor was very supportive, that we even developed a friendship out of work. I have felt part of a team and I enjoy the banter with my fellow work colleagues.

I leave for work about 6.50 so I can be on site ready to start work at 8am and my working day finishes at 4.30pm. I would initially work shadowing a joiner, but gradually I became experienced to work away on my own. I enjoyed the variety of skills I was learning as each day was different. My long term ambition would be to work towards management level and to become my own boss.

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.

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.

Chris Saunders

I’m always looking for a better way; that could be how we deploy our network in the ground or the way our architecture is located, and its functionality distributed between the different elements.

Though I have a technical background and studied Engineering, I can’t be a specialist in all fields, so knowing who to go to for expert advice and building relationships with people is very important; there are lots of things to consider, so being organised is also vital to avoid overlooking something.
It is a creative role, so I love asking ‘what if?’ and ‘how will that affect what we are doing now?’, anticipating outcomes and modelling ideas before taking them to the wider team, to see if the results are as anticipated, and we get the competitive edge or avoid a problem we foresaw.

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.

Helen Pitman

I support the Corporate Communications team and its director. This could be anything from arranging a meeting for 2 people to an event for 250 people! In basic terms I am here to keep things running as smoothly as possible for the team day-to-day. I am based in Tempsford Hall, but sometimes I travel to work from our office in London.

I love working with people and this job means I can work closely with IT, HR and Finance as well as my own team. I particularly enjoy the variety of tasks within my role and the fact that no two days are ever the same. Kier is a great place to work and offers lots of opportunities to develop whatever your role.

Holly Pierson

I’m heavily involved in maintaining and improving Suffolk’s Highways, designing and redesigning bus stops, working with other colleagues on major schemes and working on my own projects around the country.

My favourite parts of the job are the new opportunities I get to experience, particularly designing on AutoCAD and going on site visits where I can learn from others. The thought that I’m making a difference to Suffolk’s economy gives me great pride. Knowing that the public will be benefiting from something that I have designed for years to come gives me great job satisfaction.

Levi Elliot

The opportunities I have received through Kier have been endless. I have such a supportive contracts manager who has guided me throughout the process and continually encouraged me to progress. I would recommend the apprenticeship route into Facilities Management to anyone, and if I could offer any advice to someone just entering the industry then it would be that you can never ask too many questions. It shows just how keen you are to learn and fully understand the task ahead.

Becoming a qualified electrician helped broaden my opportunities and I am now an electrical supervisor for the electrical small projects team.

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.

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.

Robert Stocker

As a trainee engineer, my job role varies depending on the situation i am in. As a part of the Kier Foundation Degree programme we are recommended to move around various departments in order to gain a better understanding of the company and how it operates. Currently i am working in pre-construction BIM at Tempsford where my role consist of supporting a number of departments within a project by setting up design documents, creating scopes, working with consultants and producing 3D models to provide visual aid. Prior to this i worked as a site engineer at Farringdon where i was exposed to a number of different jobs and activities, some of which were setting out, training apprentices, working with contractors and more.

I do what i do because i have an interested in learning new skills and having responsibilities. It allows me to gain a degree while gaining vital experience to help me push my career further. It also gives a sense of pride and achievement when you have worked on a project and have seen it grow from a design into a functional building. i also enjoy it because i have the opportunity to travel with my work and see and experience new things that i would not have normally had the opportunity to see, whether that be with university or travelling on a work basis.

Andrew Staufenbiel

I assist with both the pre-construction and construction teams looking to address associated environmental risks on our projects. This includes; looking at risks within the ground before we even start building and helping sites to understand and manage risks throughout the construction phase (protecting & enhancing ecology/wildlife, waste management, etc). I travel across all of our offices and construction sites, providing ongoing support and visibility and I particularly enjoy managing the wide range of changing issues we face and the varied people I work with.

I have a strong interest in people and the environment, and believe that the construction industry has a huge part to play in protecting and enhancing the environment in which we all live.

Jacob Austin

I’m currently managing the budget for a £18 million new hospital for children, young adults and families with mental health problems. The job involves buying packages of work from local tradespeople and valuing their work as they complete it, paying them for their work, and charging the client for what has been completed. It involves use of maths skills, and practical knowledge of building.

In my role no two days are the same as the work on site continually changes and brings new challenges. I get to see how everything is done and to meet lots of different people. I’m not stuck in an office all day every day and it’s great to be challenged.

Terri Baker

My role involves preparing tender documents to a high standard, co-ordinating with the Framework/Bid Manager and wider design team. Co-ordinating and managing KPIs across all Kier offices for a major client, providing training and guidance and being a main point of contact. Writing, creating and editing documents for internal and external use, including marketing brochures, newsletters, presentations and case studies.

I enjoy my role as not only do I love writing and editing, but I also love learning new things and every week I am given new opportunities to learn.

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.

Ben Castle

I’ve been working as a carpenter at Kier Living since November 2015. My favourite part of the role is getting the chance to carry out a wide variety of jobs on site.

While I do prefer some tasks more than others, it’s great that I’m getting the opportunity to develop and learn valuable new skills, which will help me in my career as well as outside the workplace. I’ve had great support from my colleagues, which has really helped me settle in as an apprentice. If I ever needed help or assistance, they are always more than happy to help.

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.