Tell us about what you do at the Trust? I’m an Assistant Framework Contract Manager within the Operations Contracts team. This is a national team that manages a variety of different contracts from vegetation, diving, waste and electrical & mechanical. I support with audits, reports and support the contractors to monitor progress, check work quality is up to specification and go out on site visits.
What first interested you in joining Canal & River Trust? I’d like to say that I knew about the Trust for years and I sought an apprenticeship here but, being honest I didn’t know about the Trust. Like potentially others at the time, I believed that the councils owned and cared for the canal and river networks. After leaving sixth form, I was keen to jump onto an apprenticeship where I could grow a career and I found a Business Administration Apprenticeship at the Trust, did some research and liked what I saw - I am very glad that I ended up applying and getting the role.
What development opportunities have you been involved with at the Trust? I completed a Level 3 Business Administration Apprenticeship in my first role which supported me moving onto becoming a Project Coordinator where I undertook the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification. In my current role, I have completed the Managing Safely IOSH course, some management training and am working towards the APM Project Management qualification.
Why did you choose this particular career path? When I finished sixth form, I was very keen to get into the ‘business world’ and never really had a path that I really wanted to follow. I sought any opportunity that I could and therefore, I have worked in a range of roles. Starting as a personal assistant apprentice, then working in project coordination and onto contract management support. I am still uncertain about where I’d like my career path to lead to, but I know that I have gained valuable skills in the roles that I have undertaken at the Trust and I hope to keep advancing further at the Trust.
Have you taken part in any exciting projects? I managed to take part in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct inspection, this was a massive project whereby the Aqueduct (126ft high) was dewatered for the first time in 20 years and the project was featured on Countryfile. I stayed over in Llangollen and supported the inspection of thousands of bolts over two days. This was a great opportunity that anyone in the Trust could have signed up to work on, it was great experience of a completely different working style.
