And providing a rewarding workplace for our employees is an important part of creating bright futures. We’re keen to help staff develop their careers and wanted to shine a spotlight on Joe Cooper from VIVID Build as a great example of our learning culture. VIVID Build is VIVID's own construction arm.

Hi Joe! What were you doing before you joined the team?

Before I joined VIVID Build. I was studying a Construction Engineering and Management degree at the University of Portsmouth.

And what roles have you had?

I joined back in July 2015 as a Construction Management Graduate. My first project was Sun Terrace in Portsmouth. I spent my time shadowing the Site Manager and putting what I learned at university into practice. The project completed in March 2016 and I was promoted to Construction Management Trainee and begun to get more involved with other projects, including Aggie Weston House, Thomas Reeves Court and North Town. I carried out a variety of jobs, from organising defects, to sending tenders and creating the operational and maintenance manuals ready for handover. I’m now working on my biggest project yet! Building 45 units in Southampton, along with allotments and a park.

How’s the company helped you learn and grow?

The company’s helped me in various ways, shadowing the site team on different projects has been a big help, as well as the courses I’ve completed, including Project Management and Scaffold Inspection courses. I’m also currently working towards chartership with the Chartered Institute of Builders and aim to have Member of Charted Institute of Builders status by the end of 2018. All of these things have played a huge part in my development.

What are your biggest challenges?

One of the biggest challenges I’ve faced during my time here is understanding the build process and technical knowledge in the industry. You can’t learn everything sat in the classroom and its best to just get out on site and get stuck in to get a feel for how everything fits together.

And the best bits?

I think one of the best bits of the job is when you finish a project and you see the new tenants move in and appreciate all the hard work we’ve done; not only have we built a house, we’ve built a home. I also enjoy that every single day is different on site, with its own set of challenges.

And finally, what are your career aspirations?

I hope one day to be able to run my own construction projects for VIVID Build.