What I do

I came in as a Civil Engineer straight from school. I’ve tried a bit of everything, but I am currently focused on quantity surveying. It is a fast-paced working environment, and we are reactive, so every day is different.

Hear more about Jodie's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

My main inspiration to come into this industry is my dad. He has worked in construction since he left school.

I took Art & Design and Business at A-level and Maths and IT at AS-level. I always knew that university wasn’t for me. I applied for lots of apprenticeships – but there is a lack of construction-based apprenticeships – and I experienced a lot of rejection until I got this opportunity.

At the start of the apprenticeship, we did a lot of online training. Then we had a week together learning some on-site practical skills. My apprenticeship is in Construction Site Management. It involves having a full-time job, but they give you time to study.

A typical day in my
working life

There isn’t any one thing I do every day - I’m always learning something new. If you are a site agent, you have to fill in certain documentation every day. I have a learning and development plan, which I keep up to date with my mentor. I like doing that because I write down what I have learnt, what I want to learn in the future, and any training courses I want to do. I did my first training course the other week, in Emergency First Aid.

I start at 7.30 am. I am in charge of our e-bikers, so I do their briefings and daily tasks. We are trying to cut down on our carbon emissions - so, instead of driving vans, we use e-bikes to take documents and small items from site to site during the day. We communicate back and forth, and I like the responsibility. That takes up a lot of the morning.

I spend most of the day with my mentor, Tom, who is a Quantity Surveyor. If I can go on site, I do - as I have my own van now. I usually finish around 4 pm.

It is a supportive environment, and you don’t feel alone.

I enjoy coming to work - I am earning money and learning too.

A little more about
my everyday role

What I love most about my job

I like being busy and this job is very fast paced – I'm constantly dealing with new challenges. We had a flood on one of our sites the other day and seeing how they deal with it is really interesting – what processes are required and what documentation has to be done.

We are implementing lots of new technologies right now, like augmented reality (AR). When we’re not on site we use AR to see the site and we can layer our designs onto it. Also, if someone is on site, you can connect up to see what they are actually seeing. I love using all this new technology.

The best bits about working in a team

Back in June, I attended an awards ceremony. I spoke about my experience of being a girl on-site. It was a big thing for me as I was in a room full of people who have been in the industry for a very long time. I had a lot of good feedback from it and it was good to share my experience of what FM Conway has done for me. I have done so much networking and have been invited to do podcasts, so I have had a lot of opportunities.

The next steps in my career journey

I would like to become a chartered surveyor in the future.

The advice I'd give to
someone younger

Don’t stress. People who are looking at apprenticeships need practical skills, not just qualifications. Be yourself and something will come your way! Go for any opportunity – everything you do takes you somewhere.

Find out more about this role

Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.

Nine apprentices sitting on sofas socialising

Meet other technicians

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Jodie Calvesbert