Riley joined HCE in October 2024 and is developing his skills and experience across a range of civil engineering projects. His recent work has included Joseph Norton Academy, Woldgate School & Sixth Form College and the Rossington Link Road, van park and trailer park scheme, where the team is delivering key infrastructure for a major logistics hub.
With plenty still to learn and new challenges ahead, Riley is keen to build his experience, take on more complex projects and continue developing his career in civil engineering.
Q&A with Riley
What’s been one of your proudest professional achievements?
Assisting with the installation of three large tanks. It was a challenging and technical job that helped me learn a lot.
Is there a project you’ve worked on that stands out to you most and why?
The project I’ve been most recently working on at Rossington. We’ve had a tight schedule and a few issues to overcome, but we’ve managed to get everything done.
What’s the most valuable lesson you’ve learned in your career?
Never do just the bare minimum. If there are other things you can do to improve the work or help yourself in the future, push yourself to do more rather than just what’s required.
What aspect of your role do you enjoy most?
Meeting and talking to other people working on site and being able to have a laugh while working.
What’s the most challenging part of your role?
Time management. Spending too long on one task can mean other tasks that could have been completed in the meantime get left undone.
Are there any emerging trends or technologies in the industry that excite you?
AI is a really interesting technology. It’s evolving rapidly, and I’m curious to see what comes next.
What skills do you think are most important for success in civil engineering today?
Being able to use your own initiative rather than always being told what to do is one of the most important skills in civil engineering. Being careful is also essential, because rushing or making a careless mistake can lead to expensive or time-consuming fixes.
What do you enjoy most about working at HCE?
Being able to talk to good people at work and meeting new people.
How would you describe the company culture in three words?
Friendly, encouraging and ambitious.
What do you enjoy doing outside of work?
I enjoy fishing.
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the industry?
Listen to what people tell you and always ask for help if you’re not sure. No one is ever going to put you down for wanting to learn more.
What motivates you professionally?
Being able to grow and take on more difficult projects further down the line.
What are you looking forward to most in the next year?
Seeing a new job and learning new skills.
What’s one thing you couldn’t get through the workday without?
Good food!
