Last year, we announced the introduction of Field View as part of our day-to-day operations; a software that removes the need for pen and paper when it comes to forms & permits, snagging issues, project delivery, and handover. Being available on computers and handheld devices such as tablets massively streamlines the aforementioned processes by being accessible from anywhere – a huge boost to our overall efficiency – in addition to being far more sustainable by minimising the need for paper use.
Over the last year, we have been thrilled at the positive impact Field View has had on our work. One area in particular the software has impacted massively is quality assurance – to learn more, we spoke to our QA Manager (and golfing extraordinaire) Ewan Bromley to see how Field View is benefitting his work…
How has Field View helped you improve the accuracy of quality checks on-site?
The software has helped by being able to specifically pinpoint tasks to certain areas, uploading site-specific drawings to drop a pin in the correct location where the task has been raised. When carrying out Quality Inspections it allows me to insert images of the specific type of work that I am looking at on-site and specifically score that section, which then, once all questions have been answered, will give me an overall score.
What are some of the biggest challenges the software helps you overcome in your role?
One of the biggest challenges that Field View helps me overcome is the tracking of QA, and the forms being raised for each specific piece of work, which then also links to the above when carrying out the Quality Inspections. It also helps to keep track of the tasks that have been raised; for example, in our audits, we have introduced in a 7-day deadline for tasks to be completed and signed off. Once the status of the task has been changed, I will be receive a notification.
In what ways has the Field View improved your team’s ability to comply with industry standards and regulations?
Field View has improved the team’s overall abilities, as there is more to go through on the forms, and we have slightly changed ITPs to contain certain elements if we have been caught out in the past. This then makes the site team adapt to changes in regulations, especially from Yorkshire Water over the recent years.
In your view, how does the software contribute to HCE’s long-term goals?
In my opinion, the software will help us contribute to our goal of zero defects. As mentioned above, we can easily change the forms that the teams use to carry out their own quality checks to ensure that everything has been captured, and then is also up to date with any regulation changes by the highways or Yorkshire Water.
In addition to the questions above, we asked Ewan if there were any recent examples of Field View having a direct impact on his work. In response to this, he shared some details of a Quality Inspection from one of our latest schemes, as well as a snagging list from another one of our projects. Both of these documents were able to be completed and signed off with ease and efficiency as a result of Field View’s streamlined accessibility.
A huge thank you to Ewan for taking some time to answer these questions. We hope this provides a more cohesive view of how this tool is allowing us to maximise our efficiency, in addition to increasing the sustainability of our day-to-day operations. It’s just one of a number of examples highlighting how we are levelling up our SHEQ processes to ensure the work we do is safer, more sustainable, and higher quality than ever.
Throughout September and October, our Senior Leadership Team gathered to strategise how we can more actively shape and influence cultural trends that promote a safe, supportive, and collaborative workplace for all our teams. To accomplish this, we have identified a number of key priorities designed to reinforce safety as a cornerstone of our business.
Our primary goal is to both reduce workplace accidents, in addition to fostering an environment that prioritises the well-being of each employee. Beyond technical skills, we are emphasising the importance of behavioural and interpersonal skills that make HCE a safer, more cohesive place to work. Traits like teamwork, trust, and clear communication are central to our approach – it’s crucial we recognise that positive relationships and attitudes drive overall company performance.
To make this vision a reality, we’re implementing several impactful initiatives aimed at building a culture of safety, respect, and continuous improvement. This includes…
- Each of our sites now actively participating in safety observation reporting, where observations are gathered across locations and sent to our head office.
- Black Hat Training being completely rolled out for all our supervisors company-wide.
- Further training on company policy and procedures to ensure everyone has a clear understanding of how we operate.
- Comprehensive Safe System Of Work training, and its subsequent implementation.
We invited Project Managers from all of our various sites across the country, as well as Engineers, to discuss how we’re actively seeking their support in driving a cultural shift across our sites. As we continue to embed these initiatives across our schemes, we are excited to see the positive impact a strong, safety-focused culture can have on our company.
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.
Last week, we kicked off our Careers in Construction Month campaign by answering a simple question: why us? We strongly recommend giving it a read for a breakdown of who we are, and why you should consider working for us – you can find the blog here.
This week, we want to explore this further; both for apprentices, and our other roles across the company. To do this, we spoke to our Recruitment Manager Ewan Mason – who works with all new starters that join HCE – and pitched him a single question: what are the benefits of a career at Howard Civil Engineering?
From an apprentice perspective, a career in construction is a popular path to take. The Careers & Enterprise Company highlighted that, in a 2024 survey of 100,000 young people, construction took a top five spot in terms of career choice. But what can you expect from an apprenticeship with us? Here’s what Ewan had to say…
- Qualified Mentors: For aspiring engineers, our ICE qualified staff enable faster learning and a direct line of contact if needed.
- A Bespoke Learning Experience: We offer a structured learning journey from start to finish, encompassing your entire apprenticeship and/or education.
- The Wage You Deserve: Our pay reflects responsibility, which means you can expect to be fairly compensated every step of the way.
- Proven Progression: HCE is home to countless examples of staff who have progressed massively since they began, like Dominic Bourke; previously an Apprentice Engineer, he now works in a high-level managerial position. There’s also Steve Dakin, whose career journey you can read about here.
- Access To Autonomy: Those who work hard, show dedication, and pick things up quickly are recognised at HCE, and as a result are given the ability to prove themselves further with increased autonomy.
- Chartership Opportunities: For Quantity Surveyors and Engineers who display proven experience, we offer chartership opportunities to elevate their careers even further.
These are just a few of the many excellent reasons an apprenticeship at HCE could take you further than you had thought was possible. In addition to all of this, you’ll receive other wider benefits such as service awards, exposure to a wide range of work (housing, commercial, infrastructure, etc), company vehicles, cross progression (meaning you’re never tied down to your current path, and can expand into other areas of this industry and our business should you so choose), as well as the opportunity to work alongside other likeminded individuals that truly understand your role.
As always, keep an eye on our website’s careers page here for the latest opportunities we have on offer.
We previously began our Careers in Construction Month campaign with two key questions: who are we, and why should you consider working with us? We highlighted our multi-disciplined skillset, the more than two decades of experience we have in the industry, as well as how our team members are constantly developing in their chosen career paths. Below, we’d like to expand on this a bit more – here are the three core reasons we believe we stand out from other employers…
We Are Committed To You And Your Progression
We are believers in maximising our team’s potential, and have countless success stories to back this up. We recently highlighted Steve Dakin, who, over the last decade and a half, has moved up from a site labourer to a Contracts Manager, and is now a key pillar of our companies management. Helping make success stories like this a reality are revolutionary tools like My Training Passport, which help us ensure you are always up-to-date on your career progression, and never left behind or in doubt.
We Blend Technical Expertise With A Proven Track Record
For over two decades we have worked diligently and efficiently to ensure every project we complete is done to the highest standard, and none of this would have been possible without our exceptional site teams. From huge, eight-figure-value projects like Arla Mega Dairy, to highly complex roadworks like the more recent Greengates Junction improvement scheme, we are immensely proud of our history, and firmly believe that the wide range of challenging work we undertake provides excellent opportunities for learning, growth, and developing your skillsets.
We Employ Innovative Solutions and Sustainable Practices
Working with us means you get to experience the latest and greatest that this industry has to offer. We consider ourselves at the forefront of construction technology, utilising state-of-the-art plant, putting sustainability first, and constantly innovating on our health and safety practices to ensure your wellbeing is always prioritised.
If all of this sounds good to you, keep an eye on our website’s careers page as we continue to update it with the latest opportunities we have available.
TRUST US TO DELIVER YOUR PROJECT ON TIME AND ON BUDGET