This month, we’ve spoken a lot about working with us, and the wide variety of benefits we provide. To round off Careers in Construction Month for 2024, we wanted to speak directly to some of our latest new starters taking up apprenticeships here at HCE.
Hayley, a Pre-Construction Apprentice, and Fred, an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, recently began their career journeys with us. Their time is spent at both our head office and their concurrent college courses, during which they gain a rich mixture of experience and understanding of their respective areas, as well as the industry as a whole.
To explore this further, and get some valuable insight for those thinking about working in this field (and with us), we asked Hayley and Fred a number of questions about their experience so far – take a look below:
How are you finding your work at HCE so far?
Hayley: I’m finding things are going good so far.
Fred: Work at HCE has been enjoyable to get into. I feel really engaged with the work I’m doing, and everyone is helpful.
What does your day-to-day in the office look like?
Hayley: I get on with the various tasks I have, chat with colleagues, have my lunch, keep going with my work, then go home.
Fred: I just crack straight on with the work I have, or get something to do from one of the Senior Quantity Surveyors.
What do you personally enjoy about working with us?
Hayley: I really enjoy the relaxed environment – also shoutout to the Friday company quizzes!
Fred: I enjoy that there are multiple ways of working out how to do a task, and that I can contact a number of people to help me if needed.
How does your time at college feed into the work you do at HCE?
Hayley: It helps by reinforcing why things need to be done, and the processes that happen before and after we secure work.
Fred: College helps me understand why we do the things we do by breaking down the processes involved in being a Quantity Surveyor.
What skills have you developed since starting with us?
Hayley: I feel I have gotten better at decision-making, as I need to be able to prioritise the tasks that require more attention at any given time.
Fred: I have developed my skills a lot on Microsoft Excel, as it is a key tool in my job. I am now able to complete tasks I would never have thought I could do.
Do you have any advice for those who may be considering taking the path you’re on?
Hayley: Go for it. Be confident and just try your best!
Fred: I would advise people not to be afraid to ask for help as you are there to learn, and you aren’t going to know everything straight away.
A huge thank you to Hayley and Fred for taking the time to answer these questions. It’s great to see how well the two have settled into their respective roles and departments, and we can’t wait to watch their progress over the coming months and years as they progress their careers. To anyone out there eyeing up a potential apprenticeship or career in the construction and civil engineering industry, we hope this blog has provided some insight into why it might be for you.
As always, keep an eye on our website’s careers page here for the latest opportunities we have on offer.
After celebrating his 14th anniversary at Howard Civil Engineering in April, Steve Dakin was recently promoted to Contracts Manager – a testament to his dedication to the construction field. To recognise these significant milestones, we spoke to Steve to discuss his career journey, the experiences that shaped his path, the challenges he has overcome, and more…
Firstly, could you walk us through your career in the construction industry; where did you begin, and how did you get involved with HCE?
I first started working in the construction industry at the age of 19. I had just completed an engineering course at a local college that gave me exposure to electrical, mechanical, and civil engineering – when I completed the course, I was sure that I wanted to go down the civil engineering route, so a family member who was a machine operator/groundworker offered me a position as a labourer.
Your journey from Labourer to Contracts Manager is undoubtedly impressive – could you give us some insight into your 14-year career at HCE?
I first joined HCE when the team I was with was offered work at York University. Before starting with HCE, I had previously worked for much smaller companies, so I was immediately impressed with the structure and ethos that HCE possessed. From there, our team progressed within the company, visiting various projects along the way until we were offered work elsewhere by another company. While my team made the decision to move on. I decided to stay with HCE.
In 2015, I was asked If I would like to become a site supervisor, and after some deliberation, I decided to take the plunge. Over the next few years, I was progressively given training, support, and guidance by the wider HCE management team. This allowed me to move into site management, project management, and contract management in a relatively short amount of time.
What is it about your job that you’re most passionate about?
I’m passionate about helping our younger colleagues achieve their goals by assisting them as much as possible in learning their trade. If it wasn’t for the help and assistance I was offered during my career, there would be no way I could have progressed to the position I now hold. It’s really rewarding to do the same for others; seeing them apply the knowledge that you have helped them develop, and watching them progress and improve in their own career paths.
What kind of challenges have you faced throughout your career, and how have you overcome these?
I think all the progress you make comes with its own specific challenges and responsibilities. But if you commit yourself to what you are doing, and you have a real drive and determination to learn and improve, you will undoubtedly do well. I have also never been afraid to ask questions; if you don’t ask the questions, you will never get the answers.
How do you think the overall industry has changed since you began? Do you think things have progressed in the right direction?
The industry has improved massively during my career. The fact that we are now utilising systems such as Field View, My Training Passport, as well as HAVS watches as part of our day-to-day routine, are all huge steps in the right direction. I’m also proud of the fact that, as a company, we are driven to seek out the latest innovations and improvements, in addition to putting so much consideration into social values and environmental sustainability.
Is there any advice you’d give to those looking for a career in this industry?
The construction industry is an extremely interesting and rewarding sector to work in – one that is full of knowledgeable people. Listen as much as you can, ask as many questions as you can, and push yourself to do the very best you can with every task you are given. If you have the right attitude, self-motivation, and a willingness to learn, there is no end to how far you could progress.
A huge thanks to Steve for taking the time to answer these questions for us – this kind of insight is invaluable, and we take great pride in being able to share it. If you’re interested in a career here at Howard’s, be sure to visit our careers page today by clicking here.

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