This computer studies graduate is among the first to pilot the CIOB’s new diploma programme, an accelerated two-year route to professional qualification. here’s what his company, Willmott Dixon, is letting him do
Matt Keen is a trainee site manager for Willmott Dixon Housing. After five years at Loughborough University studying Computing and Management, he decided on a change. In this, the second of his diary extracts in Construction Manager, Matt knuckles down at a week-long National Construction College boot camp.

26 -31 October 2003
I made the trip to the National Construction College in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, for the first module of the Introduction to Construction Course. The overall aim of this week is to attain an overview of the construction industry, and to discuss the course structure itself.

On Monday 27 October, as an introduction to the course, we were asked to complete a number of exercises designed to improve communication skills. Then we discussed future course modules and our project for the week was unveiled – an attempt to win an Ecohomes contract. The aim of the project was to design a Green Building concept and deliver a successful presentation and exhibition to a board of judges.

On Tuesday and Wednesday we attended several lectures on the construction industry in general, including economics, procurement methods and green building techniques that could be incorporated into our project. We also attended several evening sessions, designed to help us focus on our objectives and develop our team. I found these sessions really productive and think they aided our team’s progress.

On Thursday my team got cracking on our presentation and exhibition. In the afternoon, we had a tour of the college and a practical session on formwork, which was an excellent hands-on experience.

I feel more like a round rivet than a square peg!

Matt Keen

Our concept design and exhibition seemed to convince the judges and we ‘won’ the contract – all the hard work was worth it!

The week as a whole was tough, with early mornings and late nights, but it was worth the effort and it’s nice to know that I’m not the only non-cognate in the industry. I now feel that I have a better understanding of how the industry works, and I feel more like a round rivet than a square peg!

November 2003
This month has been a mix of training and work on-site. I have completed my five-day CITB Site Manager’s Course over a three-week period, spending the rest of the time on site. Our project is now at the stage where road building has commenced and most of the substructure brickwork and drainage is completed.

I have tried to spend as much time as possible on site, while simultaneously staying on top of my administrative duties. I am now responsible for the Subcontractors Incentive Scheme, which has proved to be a real success in promoting the work effort for our advanced programme.

Source

Construction Manager

Postscript

Next month Matt describes his day out at the company’s Trainee of the Year Award and reveals how he is progressing on site