Meet Abby: One of our Cadets that is currently on site doing her Site Engineer component of the Cadet Program. Previously a pharmacist back in Queensland, Abby discovered her newfound love for the construction industry and she hasn’t looked back. Click through to read more about her experience when we met up with her to see how she was doing.
1. When did you start the cadetship at Reitsma Constructions?
I started my cadetship in April 2017, during my second year of study.
2. Your experience as a cadet and what project are you currently working on now?
Currently, I am completing the Site Engineer component of the cadet program where I am based on site. The project is the second stage of a primary school, involving a state-of-the-art building with classrooms, learning commons, an office and staff area and extensive landscaping. I have been placed in a supportive project team that has made working on site an invaluable experience.
3. What have you learnt in the program so far and how has it made you better?
The cadet program has provided me with the perfect environment to apply and build upon theoretical knowledge learned at Uni, to real life in the construction industry. The program is a balance of on-the-job training and practical experience covering three different disciplines – Contracts Administration, Site Engineer and Estimating.
On site I am constantly tackling new tasks such as the coordination of subcontractors, measuring and ordering materials, participating in meetings with the client and architect and sometimes digging in the mud. The hands on experience has given me a greater understanding of the workings of a job site from the importance of a collaborative effort to the scope of each trade.
4. Is it what you expected from a cadetship?
I decided to undertake a cadetship as I was aware university would not provide me with the well-balanced education and site experience that I wanted. So far, the cadet program has exceeded my expectations. One of the reasons I chose to study construction management was to experience the satisfaction of being involved in a project from commencement through to delivery. I can now say that seeing a project you are a part of, coming to fruition, is the ultimate reward.
