NAME: ANTHONY WASS
COMPANY/REGION: REDROW HOMES (SOUTHERN) LTD
JOB TITLE: ENGINEERING MANAGER
DEPARTMENT: TECHNICAL
WHAT DOES YOUR DEPARTMENT DO?
The Technical Department acts as a primary focal point for a housing developer in providing practical, cost-effective and also an aesthetically desirable product. The Department provides a technical involvement in the initial pre-purchase site evaluations, the preparation and submission of planning applications, both engineering and architectural designs and a continuing involvement in projects right through to their final completion including the handover of roads, sewers and communal open spaces. Basically the Department is involved in all developments from inception through to completion
WHAT DO YOU DO ON A DAY-TO-DAY BASIS?
My job requires a significant amount of day-to-day liaison and management of external consultants and colleagues in respect of all engineering aspects relating to both traditional housing and the ever increasing number of apartment schemes
My current role tends to be more front-ended in the development process with the pre-purchase appraisal of all things engineering, often in conjunction with external consultants, in respect of roads, drainage, foundations, utilities, contamination etc.
Subsequently, or sometimes in doing so, this includes the commissioning of site investigations and a variety of surveys, the appointment of external consultants, liaison with local and statutory authorities etc. all of which are required in the preparation of engineering drawings and details required for both pricing and ultimately construction. However following the initial set-up of these aspects my involvement tends to be more one of over-viewing others rather than day-to-day management.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
I enjoy the variety of being involved in a project from initial pre-purchase conception right through to completion, which means that I can have an influence and hopefully make a positive difference, at all stages of a project.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS CAREER?
I have always had an interest in problem solving and at the time of looking for my first job this was coupled with an interest in technical drawing. Civil Engineering seemed to offer an opportunity to combine the two aspects. Obviously as my career has progressed the degree of hands-on drawing work has significantly diminished but the requirement for technical problem solving has continued and along with it an opportunity to experience the managerial side of projects has arisen.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DID YOU NEED TO GET THIS JOB?
I didn’t necessarily need to have a degree in Civil Engineering but it obviously helped in securing my initial job with a housing developer as a Design Engineer. My subsequent promotions to Engineering Manager have really been based upon experience rather than qualifications although I do feel that my degree gave me a broad knowledge base which has been invaluable
IS THERE ANY PARTICULAR ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE A GRADUATE OR TRAINEE LOOKING FOR A JOB IN YOUR WORK AREA?
I’d recommend a good solid qualification base through part-time or full-time study and also for me the experience of working for a consultant, have collectively provided me with the core skills and basis for my career so far.