Site Manager (Assistant) - Dan Phillips

Dan Phillips,
Age 25

Qualifications
BSc Hons Construction Project Management

NVQ Level 4 Site Management

What encouraged you to join the construction industry?
I did work experience during my GCSE's and continued doing summer work for a Civil Engineering firm. I'd originally wanted to do something sports related like be a PE Teacher, but I enjoyed working and assisting the civil engineer, it was challenging, working out doors, which was a real plus for me, it's such a relaxed environment as well. So that totally changed my mind and I knew the career I wanted to persue.”

What do you do day-to-day?
I deal with Health & Safety, that's my top priority, then it's Quality Management checking the standard of work and programming and scheduling the work for the subcontractors and organising materials for the job. Also there's an element of cost management to it.”

Can you give an example of any recent projects you have been working on?
The last development I worked on was the ISIS in Cardiff Bay, a complex of multi-story apartments, I won an award for that one - an internal hallmark award for customer care.

I also did a job on Harby Street building apartments and town houses, we won a NHBC awards for that. Another one Lock Keepers Court in central Cardiff was an interesting development, so it's mainly domestic housing.”

Good bits and bad bits about your job?
Good bits are that the environment is ever changing, which is important to me and also the job can be different everyday. In the summer the weather is also a good bit, but then during the winter it's the bad bit! The early mornings aren't much fun either. I think mainly it's the schedules and time pressures that can be quite stressful, but when it all comes together and you can see the physical results of your work in a building it's all the more satisfying.”

If you were to recommend your job to someone else, what would you say?
It is hard work, but you get out of it what you put in. There's no discrimination, the rewards are there no matter who you are as long as you put the work in.”

Where would you like to take your career in the future?
As far as I can go, Site Manager, Project Manager, Director why not even Managing Director! No just as far as I can and as long as I'm enjoying it.”