highways engineers
| tasnim - city council secondment |
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 1" Goes Here When did you join WA? May 2003.
Why did you join? I was extremely intrigued by the unique and exciting arrangement of WA’s outsourcing division which gives individuals the opportunity to be part of both the private sector as well as the government sector. Secondments in local authorities gives individuals the chance to gain a thorough understanding and experience of working in local government and an appreciation of the different elements that influence policies. So in my view it is the best of both worlds.
Current secondment: I am seconded to a City Council Highway Design Team and have since been involved in a wide variety of interesting and exciting highway projects ranging from small local transport plan projects to major highway schemes. My main involvement has been in the City Centre Development Project. I’ve been appointed as the design engineer for a major highway regeneration project. Working closely with landscape architects to deliver their design, my responsibilities included carrying out the detailed design of the project and compiling all the drawings as well as liaising with the contractor regarding construction matters on site.
Good bits: Working for WA has been an exciting journey that has allowed me to greatly develop my career as an engineer through excellent training and opportunities as well as a wonderful working environment. Working in different secondments has allowed me to gain valuable experience and build my confidence. Working in local government through the different secondments I’ve been in has given me the invaluable chance to contribute to the development of local communities.
Future plans: Continue to gain more experience and satisfy the objectives of my WA training agreement to achieve chartered status. |
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| fgeoff - city council secondment |
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When did you join WA? March 2002
Why did you join? At the time I knew a couple of people who worked for Aspen and they suggested that I apply. Aspen were prepared to fund my degree also so I joined. Prior to that I had worked for a couple of smaller consultancies on structures and highways projects.
Current Secondment: I am currently a senior engineer working for a City Council. I manage highway projects for the design team from feasibility stage to contractor identification and procurement. I am responsible for communication amongst the council teams and with the private contractor that the council use.
Good bits: I enjoy the freedom that I am given to manage a scheme. I also appreciate the respect shown to me by the City Council even though I am not a permanent member of their staff. The responsibility given to me by WA is good and I like being able to represent the company within a clients office. The social functions are enjoyable and it is nice to keep in touch with other WA staff and managers. The Area Managers keep in touch regularly as do Head Office staff which demonstrates that WA care about the welfare of the staff out on secondments.
Future plans: in the future I hope to gain my Chartership. I currently enjoy the hands on nature of the schemework that I am involved in and therefore want to ensure I stay working in this hands on way. |
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| vian - area manager |
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When did you join WA? August 2006
Why did you join? I was working at Salford CC with my partner Lynne. Lynne finished work there when my first daughter was born so I felt there was no reason to stay at Salford CC. I was recommended to Waterman Aspen by a contact of mine, was invited for interview and was offered a job.
Current Secondment: I currently work as a Team Leader within the Asset Management Team at a leading consultancy. I have responsibility for and look after a County Council’s clients, ensuring all highways surveys are undertaken, all data received is integrated and programmes of work are determined. I run all the value management workshops and I run the skid workshops and am responsible for producing the reports from the workshops. I am also the project manager for the A69 DBFO corridor and I advise the other offices regarding value management of engineering schemes and skid policies.
I am also an Area Manager where I manage several staff and keep in regular contact with them, ensuring that they are happy in their placements and their clients are happy with their productivity etc. I ring round existing clients to see if there is any need for any secondment staff and find out their current workload and what is coming up in the future. I also speak to potential candidates as part of the recruitment process.
Good bits: The best bit about working for Waterman Aspen is the fact that you are expected to go into a role with a client and hit the ground running so this pushes you as a person to improve and keeps me improving as an engineer. At my secondment client, there is a lot of knowledge and skill within the asset management team which I am learning from on a daily basis so this is constantly improving me.
Future plans: I am happy with my current secondment and want to develop the role I have there. I want to progress within Waterman Aspen to Associate Director level. |
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danny - area manager |
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 When did you join WA? May 2001
Why did you join? I had been made redundant from a Heating and Ventilation company. I wanted to continue with ‘anything to do with AutoCad’, and was approached by an Aspen Associates member of staff. I had an interview and was then taken on for 2 weeks as an AutoCad Technician to see how I got on. The rest, as they say, is history.
Current Secondment: A County Council – Design Services (Highways) I have been on secondment here for a number of years. Like most secondments, I was initially only meant to be there for 3 months, just to help out with a bit of cad work. However, my role now has varied somewhat from when I first started. I have graduate engineers producing drawings for me on a number of schemes that I am Project Managing. My role also means that I am often asked to oversee the less experienced members of staff, both other WA secondees and County staff, on their own projects. In addition, within WA I have a role as an Area Manager. I was promoted to the role following a series of small tasks and a couple of seminars with the Directors. The AM role is far more challenging than I ever imagined, but is something that I do enjoy. Part of the role means keeping in contact with the staff members allocated to me, ensuring that there are no issues in their secondment and that their general wellbeing is good. Other aspects of the AM role include contacting potential and existing clients, to enquire if there is anything WA can do to help with their peaks in workload. This may also mean a follow up meeting to secure a secondment. I also attend, along with the other AMs and Directors, meetings to discuss any potential vacancies and how the current market is. In these meetings, we also discuss the welfare and needs of our existing staff.
Good bits: A variety of work from large Section 278 schemes to minor works and LTP schemes. As for the AM role, it’s satisfying knowing that you can have a positive influence on someone’s career and how they develop.
Future plans: To consolidate myself and my position as an Area Manager within Waterman Aspen and then hopefully progress further up the managerial tree. |
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