Author Archives: Stephanie Jones

Photo by Nick Morrison on Unsplash

One of the key elements to CV writing is to demonstrate the impact of your achievement in previous roles you have held.

Unfortunately, not all of us have work in environments where we can provide percentages or hard figures showing how our efforts have contributed to the success of the department or business we have worked for.

So how can you demonstrate our achievements without actual data?

The first thing is to divide the work experience sections into ‘responsibilities’ and ‘achievements’ and build your sentences to read such as:

‘I was employed by……….to………….….’

‘Whilst in this role, I met the team’s goals/company’s objective by…………..’

Additionally, using power verbs and adverbs is an easy way to get your CV noticed. Using verbs like ‘negotiated’ and ‘initiated’ along with ‘confidently’ and ‘resourcefully’ just make your achievements sound better. It brings out your qualities that employers are looking for, gives an insight to the way you work and how you will fit into the team.

Take care when using adverbs however as overuse can make your CV noticeable for the wrong reasons.  

You can also add a section on your own personal development. This section can include data such as the number of training courses you’ve attended (in-person or online), new qualifications you’ve gained, new skills you’ve learnt, number of awards you have received as well as the number of team members you’ve trained, coached or mentored and the number of times you’ve been promoted.

Remember, employers may ask you to elaborate on these examples!  

To read our other CV writing blog, follow this link. You can also see a selection of jobs currently available by heading over to our Job Board.

Did you know, you can also request for one of our consultants to ring you back to discuss your next career move. We advertise a selection of our live vacancies on our website and we usually have a number of unadvertised vacancies. Our consultants are experts and will help you make an informed decision when it is time for you to secure your next role.

In March 2021, the Government launched ‘Project Gigabit’ in a bid to reach more than one million of homes and businesses located in hard-to-reach areas as part of a £5 billion government infrastructure project to rollout fibre broadband in the UK. (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-5bn-project-gigabit)

The project has been said to help accelerate the UK’s recovery from Covid, fire up high growth in sectors like tech as well as level up the country by spreading wealth and creating jobs.

Companies like Openreach and City Fibre to name a couple, have already been part of the full fibre rollout to homes and businesses across the UK and Project Gigabit is the next step.

In short, with heavy investment in the telecoms sector, recruitment for Fibre Engineers is at an all time high.

So, how do you become a Telecoms/Fibre Engineer?

Primarily, there are two main ways to become a qualified Telecoms/Fibre Engineer:

Firstly, you can enrol on a college course such as the following four:

Level 2 Award in Communications Cabling

Level 3 Diploma in Professional Competence for IT and Telecoms Professionals

T Level in Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing

T Level in Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control

You can also do an Apprenticeship in the following:

Telecoms Field Operative Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship

Network Cable Installer Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Radio Network Technician Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship

Being a Telecoms/Fibre Engineer requires the following skill and knowledge:

• broadcasting and telecommunications knowledge
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• the ability to use your initiative
• maths knowledge
• knowledge of computer operating systems, hardware and software
• the ability to work well with your hands
• analytical thinking skills
• customer service skills
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Other accreditations/certificates and experience required:

• Smart Awards SA001 and SA002 accreditation and experience
• Cable installation, splitter box installation, fibre routing and power testing
• Knowledge of street works safe working practices, including NRSWA Signing, Lighting and Guarding
• NRSWA and Safe Working Practices Accredited
• A full driving license I also a must as you will be required to travel between jobs

What does a day in the life of Telecoms/Fibre Engineer look like?

As a telecoms engineer, you could be set up mobile, fixed communications and data networks and repair lines and equipment on mobile masts and antennae.

You may also lay and test underground and underfloor cabling, find and fix faults, including using software remotely, design, build and test components and equipment as well as communicate with customers in person, on the phone or online.

You could work at a client’s home or at a client’s business. Your working environment may be at height, cramped, outdoors in all weathers and you’ll travel often. You’ll need to wear safety clothing and use safety equipment.

What does career progression look like in this sector?

With the right training and experience, you could progress to supervisory roles, move into network design or into electronic engineering.

The national average salary for a Telecom/Fibre Engineer is £32,112 in United Kingdom according to Glassdoor UK.

References:

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/telecoms-engineer

https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/telecommunications-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,27.htm

To see a selection of our Telecoms vacancies, head over to our Job Board. You can also connect with us via our company page on LinkedIn or send us a message via our Contact Form.

Construction buyers have reported a sudden growth spurt in February after two months of decline raising hopes the worst of the economy’s storms have passed.

The reported surge was the strongest since May 2022, supported by a big rebound in commercial work and steady growth in civil engineering activity.

This more than offset the decline in housing activity, which fell for the third month running.

Confidence for the year ahead was also lifted by the lowest supplier delays for two years and a welcome slowdown in input cost inflation.

The latest bellwether S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index spiked to 54.6 in February from 48.4 in January.

Buyers said they had seen an improvement in order books for the first time since last November.

Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: “The overall figure paints a bright picture of progress in the construction sector with a robust jump in output last month.

“Supply deliveries were at their most improved since January 2020 and some commentators mentioned sourcing closer to home to avoid logjams in supply chains caused by China’s Covid policy and the war in Ukraine.

He added: “Builders themselves remained cheerful as optimism rose sharply and almost half of the survey’s respondents believed business would improve in 2023.

“With the slowest inflationary rises for raw materials since November 2020 this offered some relief, and it was cheaper transportation costs that helped offset salary and energy costs which were still rising.”

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: “Some firms noted that fading recession fears and an improving global economic outlook had boosted client confidence in the commercial segment.

“Construction companies appear increasingly confident about the year ahead business outlook, with optimism rebounding strongly from the lows seen in the final quarter of 2022.”

Article written by Aaron Morby for www.constructionenquirer.com

Thames Water is planning to splash out £1.6bn on upgrading sewage treatment works and sewer networks over the next two years.

An extra 150 extra staff have been taken on at Thames Water’s capital delivery team to raise its capability to deliver complex engineering projects at pace.

Its fast-tracked programme will see significant upgrades to wastewater treatment plants and sewerage networks to reduce storm discharges and pollution incidents.

The spending splurge will help Thames Water to reduce the total annual duration of discharges by 50% by 2030 compared to a 2020 baseline. This commitment includes an 80% reduction in discharges in particularly sensitive catchments.

Over the next two years, starting in April, the water company will pump £1.12bn into sewage treatment plant expansion, including £650m on enhancing and upgrading over 135 existing sites to improve resilience and provide additional capacity.

During this period, Thames Water will also spend a further £470m on the wider sewer network.

The £1.6bn spending bonanza sets a new record for investment for a UK water utility and represents a more than twofold increase in Thames Water’s spending on its sewage treatment plants and wider sewer network, compared to the previous two years.

This investment will include allocations for essential maintenance works, such as repairing existing infrastructure, improving treatment standards and increasing capacity at sewage treatment works.

Sarah Bentley, chief executive of Thames Water, said: “The discharge of untreated sewage is unacceptable, and we are committed to tackling this problem.

“We are investing record sums in upgrading our sewer systems and treatment works and are striving every day to reduce the discharge of untreated sewage into our rivers.

“However, there are no quick fixes. Population growth will increase the strain on our sewage network and treatment centres. And because of climate change, the south east of England is experiencing heavier downpours, which can overwhelm some sewage treatment works. The scale of the challenge demands urgent and systemic reform with a shared undertaking from all stakeholders.”

Article by Aaron Morby for constructionenquirer.com

Upgrade to City underground transport hub includes new entrance and ticket hall at Cannon Street.

The £700m upgrade of Bank station has been completed after seven years of construction, transforming London Underground’s major hub in the City into a “like-new, world-class” station.

The opening of a spacious, accessible entrance and ticket hall marks the end of an overhaul that has increased the station capacity by 40% and unpicked a notoriously labyrinthine and busy interchange.

Andy Lord, London’s transport commissioner, said it was “a hugely important moment for the Square Mile, which is now served by a modern, accessible station with vastly improved capacity”.

Tube passenger numbers on weekdays are now at about 75-80% of pre-pandemic levels, but journeys to City stations such as Bank are still lower, at about 70%. At weekends, some central London stations are busier than before Covid, according to Transport for London.

London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said the works had “transformed Bank station into a world-class station”, adding it was “like brand-new, just fantastic”. He said: “It serves arguably the most important financial district in Europe and it’s right and proper that it’s got public transport [fit for] the importance of this area.”

However, he warned: “The government’s failures to invest in public transport could mean this is the last big infrastructure project we have. The government’s got to realise, you can’t stand still as a city – or with public transport.

“The worry is, at the moment, we’ve got support for capital for this year, but it dries up next year, which means unfortunately, the progress we’ve made in our capital over the last six, seven years stopping.”

Khan is currently pressing through the expansion of the ultra-low emission zone in London, in the face of opposition from some Conservative-led councils. He said: “I understand why some people are concerned. I’d encourage them to check whether their vehicle is compliant – the reality is that 94% of vehicles are compliant in inner London, 85% in outer London.

“What’s happened is a small vocal minority have used misinformation in their campaign. We’re determined to clean up the air in our city – toxic air is a killer, it’s a matter of life and death.”

The new Cannon Street entrance is the fifth at Bank, which with the adjoined Monument station serves five tube lines and the Docklands Light Railway. More than 1,000 metres of new tunnel were built during the upgrade to allow much quicker interchanges between the lines, while Bank now has 27 escalators, more than any other station on the tube network.

The demand for Quantity Surveyors at all levels is very high currently and with projects all across the UK such as HS2 among others, this trend seems to be here to stay (for the foreseeable future at least).

So how do you become a qualified Quantity Surveyor?

According to the National Careers Service, there are 4 main ways to get into this line of work:

-Through a university course such as a quantity surveying degree, other useful degree subjects include construction, structural or civil engineering, maths and even land studies.

-An apprenticeship such as a Surveying Technician apprenticeship followed by further training on the job or a chartered surveyor or construction quantity surveyor degree apprenticeship.-

By working towards it, you could start as a surveying technician or Assistant Quantity Surveyor and study part time whilst you work and learn.

-Via a graduate scheme with a company or through distance learning.

What skills are desirable in this role?

The ideal Quantity Surveyor will have good maths knowledge, analytical thinking and thorough attention to details.

You’ll also have a solid knowledge of building, construction, engineering and technology. Will be a commercially and contractually astute individual that takes ownership of performance.

A proactive person with a disposition to take action pre-emptively to manage risk and opportunity.

You will also have intermediate to advanced Excel skills

Be a results driven individual with the capability of working on their own initiative.

Ability to deal with large amounts of data accurately and efficiently.

What does a day in the life of a Quantity Surveyor look like?

A Quantity Surveyor normally works alongside a team of other Quantity Surveyors and reports to the Senior Quantity Surveyor who in turns reports to the Managing Quantity Surveyor.

Day to day duties include:

• Providing reports to the client’s senior management on the costs associated with the projects.
• Advising and approving cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work
• Establishing a client’s requirements and undertaking feasibility studies
• Performing risk and value management and cost control
• Advising on procurement strategy
• Managing and advising on the tendering process, including checking and approving tender and contract documents.
• Ensuring the preparation of monthly cost/profit forecasts are being carried out.
• Providing advice and support to the team when agreeing, with the contractor, suitable sub-contractors to work on projects.
• Maintaining knowledge of various subcontractor contracts.
• Keep up to date with construction methods and materials.

What is the career progression for a Quantity Surveyor?

Over time and with experience, you could become a Senior Quantity Surveyor or move into Senior Project Management, Commercial Management, consultancy work or self-employment.

For more information from the National Career Service on how to become a Quantity Surveyor, follow this link.

We currently have a lot of new opportunities for Freelance and Permanent Qualified Quantity Surveyors – Check out our Job Board for further details.

Portsmouth Water has awarded £208m worth of contracts to two companies for the creation of a flagship reservoir in South Hampshire, which will hold 8.7 billion litres of water once completed in 2029.

The firm, a portfolio company of experienced investor in critical infrastructure Ancala Partners, awarded £167m to Future Water MJJV Limited for the building of Havant Thicket Reservoir.

A further £41m was awarded to Ward & Burke Construction Limited, who will create a tunelled pipeline in the water-stressed region.

The award followed approval of planning permission for the reservoir and an agreement by Ofwat, the economic regulator for water companies in England, that the project should move ahead.

Lee Mellor, partner at Ancala, described the Havant Thicket Reservoir, the first major new water storage reservoir in the UK since the 1980s, as a “critical step” to enhance water security in the south-east of England, which will generate significant environmental benefits for decades to come. 

It has been enabled by an innovative financial, regulatory, and commercial partnership between Portsmouth Water and key project stakeholders.  

“We are delighted to support the project through £150m of further investment in Portsmouth Water and are grateful to the company’s management team, as well as the collaboration of Ofwat, customers and Southern Water, for their hard work, partnership, and support in developing this exciting project,” he said.

“Ancala focuses on proprietary investments in critical mid-market infrastructure where we can add meaningful operational value. 

“We are pleased to have worked closely with Bob and the team at Portsmouth Water over a number of years to solve complex operational, financial and regulatory challenges to progress this vital project.”

Portsmouth Water has agreed a unique long-term bulk supply agreement with neighbouring water company, Southern Water, with the support of Ofwat, to enable the reliable delivery of 21 million litres of water a day. 

In addition, Ancala is supporting Portsmouth Water to secure a £280m financing package to support the construction of the Havant Thicket Reservoir. 

The financing package includes £205m of innovative ESG performance-linked financing placing Portsmouth Water among a small leading group of utilities across Europe that are actively integrating ESG metrics into their financing strategy.

Alongside protecting environmentally sensitive chalk streams – the River Test and the River Itchen – the project will provide a new green leisure facility to benefit local communities and wildlife. 

There will be a new wetland to support local bird species, footpaths for walking, cycling and horse riding, facilities for bird watching, such as bird hides, and picnic and play areas. 

Ofwat recently published its final decision to approve a revised budget for the Havant Thicket Reservoir. 

This has enabled Portsmouth Water to award the two main design and construction contracts for the project, with further contracts, including for a new visitor centre at the reservoir, to be awarded in the coming years. 

Bob Taylor, chief executive officer at Portsmouth Water, said: “This is a major milestone for the Havant Thicket Reservoir project and for Portsmouth Water. 

“The reservoir will safeguard essential water supplies and protect world-renowned chalk streams – the River Test and the River Itchen. 

“Ancala’s continued financial and operational support has been crucial to enabling this major project.”

Article by Sarah Walker for infrastructure-intelligence.com

In December last year, we shared an article by the Construction Enquirer about a wall of bubbles used to protect migrating salmon from work being carried out on a dock. A Dutch startup led by sailors and surfers has been using a similar process to stop plastic waste from reaching the sea. 

The low-fi pollution solution has proven surprisingly effective in the Netherlands. Now, the technology is set to be rolled out elsewhere in Europe.

The Great Bubble Barrier deploys a perforated tube on riverbeds to create a curtain of bubbles which nudges waste to the bank for collection.

And for such a lo-fi method it’s proven remarkably effective, snagging plastic particles as small as 1mm and intercepting as much as 86 per cent of flotsam in inland waters before it reaches the sea.

It’s a solution that is sorely needed. Every year, more than 8m tonnes of plastic ends up in our oceans, of which 60-80 per cent originates in rivers.

The concept was devised by a team of Dutch ocean lovers in 2017. They came up with a design that catches plastic over a river’s full width and depth, and directs it to a catchment system that collects and compresses the waste.

The first bubble barrier was installed on a waterway in Amsterdam in 2019. And last summer, a second was installed in the mouth of the Oude Rijn (Old Rhine) river at Katwijk in mid-western Netherlands after locals expressed dismay at plastic pollution littering the town’s beach.

The bubble curtain is created by an air compressor running on renewable electricity, which pumps air to the riverbed tube, laid diagonally across the waterway. The bubbles lift plastics to the surface, and the flow of the river channels waste sideways into a catchment system.

Great Bubble Barrier’s method operates 24/7, works regardless of water levels, and allows aquatic life and river traffic to pass unhindered. Following successful trials in the Netherlands, two more bubble barriers are now being planned for Portugal and Germany.

“Rivers are the highway to our oceans, transporting pollution all the way there,” said Francis Zoet, co-founder of the startup. “Our Amsterdam system is preventing 8,000 pieces of plastic from reaching the North Sea each month. But we don’t plan to stop there: the first international systems are on the agenda, and we can’t wait to tackle pollution across our borders.”

All employers and hiring managers know that recruiting new employees can be a long and costly affair, and that’s before inductions and training even take place. Employing the best person for the role will impact on the success of your business and the dynamics of your team.

So, what happens when you are faced with choosing between two great candidates?

First go back to the very beginning and re-examine why you seeking to recruit, what are the teams’, department’s or business’ priorities? What are you looking for in this candidate? What is most important: skills set, experience or maybe both?

If this doesn’t help with the decision……

Invite them both back for another interview and set them a task which they are likely to have should they be employed by you, involve the rest of your team if time/budget allows or better still invite them for a trial day.

This will not only show you who is most likely to perform best on a day to day but can also give you some insights into how the person will affect the company culture.

If at this stage you are still unsure, check their references.

References tends to be obtained once a person has been offered a position, but it is acceptable to ask for them at this stage and this will shed even more light on each candidates’ best attributes but also any not so good attributes.

On the grand scheme of things, it’s not the worst position to be in and in the current market one that most hiring managers perhaps wished they were in. Nonetheless, making the right choice is important.

Still haven’t found the person to fill that position. We can help.

Our service offering is wide ranging for both our clients and candidates and includes permanent recruitment, temporary Recruitment and executive search. Intersect Global can meet your individual recruitment demands in a prompt and professional manner, saving both time and effort whilst instilling confidence in our attitude to recruitment.

To contact us, simply fill out our contact form or call us on 020 3983 5195.