Wayne Farrell,
Age 21

Qualifications
BTEC ONC in Civil Engineering

What encouraged you to join the construction industry?
I think to begin with I was doing totally unrelated A Levels and I'd wanted to become a Solicitor, but realising how long it would be before I was qualified and earning any money put me off, I just felt like I wanted to be in work, but it was also important for me to be in a well respected career with prospects.

I came on a work experience through my uncle who works at Atkins and realised how many opportunities this line of work could open up for me, I wanted an education, but I also wanted something where I could earn and learn. Once you're qualified you're set for life.

What do you do day-to-day?
I'm involved in a lot of different schemes and can work as part of a large or small team. Recently I have assisted in tender submissions of regional importance, in particular the New Tyne Crossing and other Highways Agency related work. I've been providing support on Sunderland City Council works, namely Principal Bridge Inspections, producing technical drawings and report assistance.

Also a lot of what I've been doing is carrying out smaller projects on my own, including drawings, bills of quantities, site supervision, and client and contractor liaising. These smaller, fast turn around jobs are very satisfying, as some larger projects can be years in the planning sometimes without even reaching the construction phase.

Good bits and bad bits about your job?
I like the fact that the company I work for is multi-national and multi-disciplined, when I qualify there will be so many options open to me to move around in the company and around the world. The people I work with give me a great deal of support and confidence in what I'm doing.

There's nothing that sticks out as a bad bit, sometimes there are peaks and troughs in the work load, but then you can get that in any job.

What surprised you about the construction industry?
At school I wasn't encouraged into construction at all, the opposite in fact; to me it had such a bad reputation. Stereotypical beer bellied brick layers, drinking tea and wolf whistling at girls, you get the idea. But people don't see the technical side of things and how sophisticated the industry is, we take it all for granted, but we rely on our infrastructure so heavily.

Where would you like to take your career in the future?
I will hopefully complete my HNC before the end of next year and then I'd like to take a break from education and do a professional qualification through the ICE, as an Engineering Technician I'd have letters after my name.

Then I hope to go on to top up my HNC to a degree in Civil Engineering, I could do this part time whilst working and it would take 4 years. Eventually I'd like to qualify as a Chartered Engineer and take my career abroad to broaden my experience.

What are your hobbies/interests?
We have a couple of 5 aside teams here at work and I play on a Monday evening, I also enjoy watching football, socialising and I'm very active at the gym, playing tennis, that sort of thing.