Frazer Rice is a roof sheeting and cladding operative with Granger Building Services.
What do you do?
I’m studying for a construction apprenticeship in roof sheeting and cladding at the National Construction College in Inchinnan. I’m currently working on the Glasgow velodrome.
What do you enjoy about your job?
What I like about my apprenticeship is working outside. I like when summer comes and you can work in the sun when it’s nice and warm. I also like being able to turn my hand to metalwork when I’m outside of work. It’s a good skill to have.
How did you get started?
I left school at 15. I finished my exams and couldn’t get a job, so I started working with my uncle. But it wasn’t full time so I kept applying for different jobs and then I saw an apprenticeship come up for the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative. So I was on a site and I applied for Granger. I had the interview and got the job. I’m really enjoying it.
Proudest career moment?
It’s got to be working on the Glasgow velodrome because it’s such a big, high-profile job that’s always on the news. It’s good because I work next to Celtic Park as well. That’s my team and I get to see that every day!
Big ambition?
In 10 years I see myself still working in roofing, maybe with an international construction job somewhere like Australia as there’s better money in my trade abroad. After my apprenticeship I’m going to be doing my NVQ.
Ronnie Hitchner is a roofer and cladder with Hadfield Roofing and Cladding Ltd.
What do you do?
All types of industrial roofing and cladding including walls, membrane roofs and grass roofs.
How did you get started?
I used to work in a factory but didn’t like working there because I couldn’t see any future in it. I did some work with the owner of Hadfield Roofing and he could see I was a hard worker and offered me a job. I learnt a lot of my trade from John, the owner. He’s a really good mentor, he has years of experience and has taught me a lot. I’ve worked there for 16 years now.
What do you enjoy about your job?
I love my job. I love coming to work, working outside and working in different places. Even if I don’t like the roofing project I’m working on at the time, I know I’ll be moving onto another project soon. In this job you are never doing the same thing – one month you might be laying a grass roof on a school, and the next you’ll be doing something totally different.
The project I’m on now is laying a new roof over an old one on a building at Immingham Dock, in North East Lincolnshire. I really like working on old buildings and bringing them up to date. I also like laying membrane roofs and walls.
I worked on a B&Q near where I live and every time I drive past it I can say I worked on that!
What skills do you need?
You need to be good at learning quickly. It also really helps to listen to the advice, guidance and instructions your colleagues are giving you. You also need to be a hard worker.
You need to look after your team-mates, especially when working at height, and be very aware of health and safety. I was working on a roof recently where we used a rope system to secure us for health and safety purposes. We really needed to rely on each other using the rope system properly to make sure we were all working safely.
Proudest career moment?
My company leaves me alone on projects knowing they will be done safely, to a high standard and on time. I’ve built up a good deal of trust and experience and can now mentor and train other people in my job.
I’m also proud of my construction qualifications and training, which include NVQ 2 and NVQ 3 in Roofing, Sheeting and Cladding, and specialist training in installing systems and erecting mobile access towers (PASMA). Also, obtaining my Gold Construction Skills Certification Scheme Cards (CSCS) and Construction Plant Certification Scheme (CPCS) Cards in Scissor, Boom and Telehandler, plus various training in installation of different systems.
Big ambition?
I’m happy at the moment with what I’m doing.
Pick something you enjoy doing, don’t choose a career for the sake of it. Choose a job with variety so you don’t get bored. You work for most of your life so it’s important to make the right choice.
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