Building site & daughter?
Discussion
No really a "job" but can anyone in construction offer a comment?
My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
21TonyK said:
No really a "job" but can anyone in construction offer a comment?
My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
She would do better to get a offer to work full time over the summer. Less likely with one of the main house builders unless as part of a summer placement. My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
Her best bet would be to approach a small - medium local contractor.
I did construction at Uni & spent every summer working for a smallish contractor doing all manner of things.
She'll need to seek an internship with a contractor in her area of interest. She'll certainly require a CSCS card (~£50 total) as you're not getting onto a site without one. It'd be advisable to complete the CSCS H&S test prior to the intern commencing.
Regarding the 'trademans' mate idea - I can't see that working in this day and age; 20+ years ago perhaps.
Regarding the 'trademans' mate idea - I can't see that working in this day and age; 20+ years ago perhaps.
Useful pointer on the CS card, not thought about that. And as said, maybe 20 years ago it would have been much easier!
I know a couple of local small builders who would find a space for her but she really needs some proper site experience.
May point her back to the architect she worked with when she was younger.
I know a couple of local small builders who would find a space for her but she really needs some proper site experience.
May point her back to the architect she worked with when she was younger.
21TonyK said:
No really a "job" but can anyone in construction offer a comment?
My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
We take interns for a few months, but we employ main contractors so the interns aren't on site building stuff but if they are in the construction team they will go to site for meetings, snagging, design, value engineering etc.My daughter is in her first year studying architecture. She's pretty good by all accounts but really knows very little about the reality of building things, ie. keeps calling me to do her tech reports and I know nothing more than DIY & google!
What is the likelihood of a house builder letting her be a "builders/sparks/plumbers mate" a day or so each week for 3-4 months when she is off uni?
TIA
Last years intern joined the land and development department, she was very good and is coming to join us full time after her A levels.
Most housebuilders will be open minded on the matter. Where are you/she based, if I know anyone in the area I can give you a contact or two
blueg33 said:
We take interns for a few months, but we employ main contractors so the interns aren't on site building stuff but if they are in the construction team they will go to site for meetings, snagging, design, value engineering etc.
Last years intern joined the land and development department, she was very good and is coming to join us full time after her A levels.
Most housebuilders will be open minded on the matter. Where are you/she based, if I know anyone in the area I can give you a contact or two
Be great is you could, shes in Devon.Last years intern joined the land and development department, she was very good and is coming to join us full time after her A levels.
Most housebuilders will be open minded on the matter. Where are you/she based, if I know anyone in the area I can give you a contact or two
21TonyK said:
blueg33 said:
We take interns for a few months, but we employ main contractors so the interns aren't on site building stuff but if they are in the construction team they will go to site for meetings, snagging, design, value engineering etc.
Last years intern joined the land and development department, she was very good and is coming to join us full time after her A levels.
Most housebuilders will be open minded on the matter. Where are you/she based, if I know anyone in the area I can give you a contact or two
Be great is you could, shes in Devon.Last years intern joined the land and development department, she was very good and is coming to join us full time after her A levels.
Most housebuilders will be open minded on the matter. Where are you/she based, if I know anyone in the area I can give you a contact or two
Try Cavanna Homes - good family firm, but I don't have a contact there.
Summer job as a labourer would be my choice. She will get roped into all sorts and learn about all the trades. A smart manager will spot that she is better at clever stuff than the average brickie and not much of a hod carrier, and employ her accordingly. This happened to me in student jobs, I had a great time. In addition most interns don't get paid.
GT03ROB said:
anonymous said:
[redacted]
I think whichever side she wants to be on, what the OP is trying to achieve, IE knowledge of the reality of the trades is essential knowledge.Far too many consultants have no clue about the other side of the fence.
^ That.
Architect in a medium-sized practice here (Bristol based, we've a small office in plymouth too) - it's increasingly hard to get our students onto site 'enough' and something we work-at as individual projects allow, because it's essential to 'close the loop' in understanding what you draw, how it affects and coordinates with other disciplines; and cost/time/assembly sequence implications in-the-round.
Having thought about this - I reckon your best bet for a few months over the summer break would be to approach the major housebuilders / building projects working on larger developments (in an area that suits). They'll have a Design Manager, which is the site-based interface role between 'site' and external consultants/designers. This person is usually run off their feet - get in touch with the Site ops manager and see if there's a short term role in assisting the design manager. That'll mean a lot of dull stuff - sorting drawings, checking and coordinating, chasing people for information etc. But it is a real hands-on role, a mix of office and problem solving on a live site; and she'll see and learn more in the round, in 3months than any other way I can think of.
NB on one project of mine currently my day-to-day contact is a young woman who completed Part 1, joined a contracting company very much in this way for her 'year out' between degrees, and went back to them in the time in practise/ non-academic study periods. She stayed & completed all the way through her Part 3 partly sponsored by the company - so she's a qualified architect, but working as a design manager. She is a very capable, and well-rounded professional.
Architect in a medium-sized practice here (Bristol based, we've a small office in plymouth too) - it's increasingly hard to get our students onto site 'enough' and something we work-at as individual projects allow, because it's essential to 'close the loop' in understanding what you draw, how it affects and coordinates with other disciplines; and cost/time/assembly sequence implications in-the-round.
Having thought about this - I reckon your best bet for a few months over the summer break would be to approach the major housebuilders / building projects working on larger developments (in an area that suits). They'll have a Design Manager, which is the site-based interface role between 'site' and external consultants/designers. This person is usually run off their feet - get in touch with the Site ops manager and see if there's a short term role in assisting the design manager. That'll mean a lot of dull stuff - sorting drawings, checking and coordinating, chasing people for information etc. But it is a real hands-on role, a mix of office and problem solving on a live site; and she'll see and learn more in the round, in 3months than any other way I can think of.
NB on one project of mine currently my day-to-day contact is a young woman who completed Part 1, joined a contracting company very much in this way for her 'year out' between degrees, and went back to them in the time in practise/ non-academic study periods. She stayed & completed all the way through her Part 3 partly sponsored by the company - so she's a qualified architect, but working as a design manager. She is a very capable, and well-rounded professional.
Edited by Huff on Monday 20th February 19:41
Huff said:
^ That.
Architect in a medium-sized practice here (Bristol based, we've a small office in plymouth too) - it's increasingly hard to get our students onto site 'enough' and something we work-at as individual projects allow, because it's essential to 'close the loop' in understanding what you draw, how it affects and coordinates with other disciplines; and cost/time/assembly sequence implications in-the-round.
Having thought about this - I reckon your best bet for a few months over the summer break would be to approach the major housebuilders / building projects working on larger developments (in an area that suits). They'll have a Design Manager, which is the site-based interface role between 'site' and external consultants/designers. This person is usually run off their feet - get in touch with the Site ops manager and see if there's a short term role in assisting the design manager. That'll mean a lot of dull stuff - sorting drawings, checking and coordinating, chasing people for information etc. But it is a real hands-on role, a mix of office and problem solving on a live site; and she'll see and learn more in the round, in 3months than any other way I can think of.
NB on one project of mine currently my day-to-day contact is a young woman who completed Part 1, joined a contracting company very much in this way for her 'year out' between degrees, and went back to them in the time in practise/ non-academic study periods. She stayed & completed all the way through her Part 3 partly sponsored by the company - so she's a qualified architect, but working as a design manager. She is a very capable, and well-rounded professional.
Thank you, really useful info there for her. Shes done a few years work experience on and off with a practice (GYA) and gets on well with one of the partners so I suspect an email in her direction would be a good start. I'll suggest she starts talking to a few construction firms sooner rather than later.Architect in a medium-sized practice here (Bristol based, we've a small office in plymouth too) - it's increasingly hard to get our students onto site 'enough' and something we work-at as individual projects allow, because it's essential to 'close the loop' in understanding what you draw, how it affects and coordinates with other disciplines; and cost/time/assembly sequence implications in-the-round.
Having thought about this - I reckon your best bet for a few months over the summer break would be to approach the major housebuilders / building projects working on larger developments (in an area that suits). They'll have a Design Manager, which is the site-based interface role between 'site' and external consultants/designers. This person is usually run off their feet - get in touch with the Site ops manager and see if there's a short term role in assisting the design manager. That'll mean a lot of dull stuff - sorting drawings, checking and coordinating, chasing people for information etc. But it is a real hands-on role, a mix of office and problem solving on a live site; and she'll see and learn more in the round, in 3months than any other way I can think of.
NB on one project of mine currently my day-to-day contact is a young woman who completed Part 1, joined a contracting company very much in this way for her 'year out' between degrees, and went back to them in the time in practise/ non-academic study periods. She stayed & completed all the way through her Part 3 partly sponsored by the company - so she's a qualified architect, but working as a design manager. She is a very capable, and well-rounded professional.
Edited by Huff on Monday 20th February 19:41
Thanks again.
You're welcome; I'm happy to respond to PM if any follow-up or related questions come to mind. 
PS It's actually a really good question. One of the key skills to have in any design process, is the ability to accurately (and early!) identify what you don't yet know enough about. Once defined it is a discrete problem - you can accord priority, and solve it. Sounds obvious, but...
PS It's actually a really good question. One of the key skills to have in any design process, is the ability to accurately (and early!) identify what you don't yet know enough about. Once defined it is a discrete problem - you can accord priority, and solve it. Sounds obvious, but...
Huff said:
You're welcome; I'm happy to respond to PM if any follow-up or related questions come to mind.
PS It's actually a really good question. One of the key skills to have in any design process, is the ability to accurately (and early!) identify what you don't yet know enough about. Once defined it is a discrete problem - you can accord priority, and solve it. Sounds obvious, but...
Not only design but certainly my work in manufacturing and I suspect most jobs. It seems a bit negative to say "what can't I do?" which may be why we don't do it. I'm currently 3 weeks into a demanding temporary role, and the whole thing is a bit of a shambles. I'm running about trying to do stuff and the bigger questions are just being ignored. It's the old gag about trying to remember that you set out to drain the swamp when you are spending all your time beating off alligators.PS It's actually a really good question. One of the key skills to have in any design process, is the ability to accurately (and early!) identify what you don't yet know enough about. Once defined it is a discrete problem - you can accord priority, and solve it. Sounds obvious, but...
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