Najeeb Khan

About my job

What inspired you to work in the Construction industry?
I felt encouraged to join the Construction industry after completing a two-year work experience placement with Vistry Partnerships on a day-release basis between 2017 to 2019 as part of my T-Level qualification. This placement provided me with the opportunity to gain a stronger understanding of the industry by being placed both out on site and in an office environment.

What were your initial expectations of working in the Construction industry?
My initial expectations were in no way comparable to what the Construction industry actually has to offer. Prior to undertaking my work experience placement I had assumed that all jobs relating to the Construction industry were just for trades, and were out on site. My perception immediately changed once I began to better understand the industry and what it offers in terms of careers.

What has been your biggest achievement to date?
I consider my appointment by Vistry Partnership as a Management Trainee to be my biggest achievement. Since joining the business I have found it very reassuring to learn that I am working for an employer which many others aspire to be a part of. I am filled with confidence to be able to work with so many talented and enthusiastic people, from whom I hope to learn from.

What has been your biggest challenge to date, and why?
I consider securing a place upon Vistry’s Management Trainee programme to be my greatest achievement, but also to be my biggest challenge! Upon joining the application process I initially felt quite anxious, however upon reflection I think this was because I wanted to make it through to the finals, failure wasn’t an option for me, and I was fully aware that there were only a limited number of places available, versus the number of applicants.

What are your career aspirations?
I like to set high future career goals within a time frame so that I can work my way upwards with the necessary skills to accomplish to the best of my ability. Within the next ten years of my professional journey I hope to achieve the position of a Commercial Manager and run my own team.

What advice would you give to anyone considering entering the Construction industry as a career?
I have learnt that the Construction industry revolves around team players. As a result, you should be receptive towards any ideas thrown at you, no matter how insignificant they may seem at first. Gain a taste of as many areas within the industry as you can before committing to your ultimate career discipline, this will help you gain a better grasp of the industry. You’ll also realise the value of working as part of a team and will get to learn how the different departments interact, which will support you in advancing your career within your chosen field.

How has your employer supported you during your career journey?
Since joining Vistry Partnerships the business has been there for me at every turn. They have supported me by designing an excellent secondment programme that will provide me with an understanding of the various disciplines across the construction sector which will ultimately allow me to make an informed decision about which career path I want to pursue once I complete my training.

Name a quote which resonates with you:
“Enjoy the journey as much as the destination”
This quote is really important to me as it motivates me to complete any given task with joy. During a journey you can face many failures but those failures must not be a step down for you, instead this should set you up new targets and goals to achieve! Everyone appears to enjoy their ‘final destination’ yet not so many comment on their journey!

What do you consider to be the most rewarding aspect of your job?
Where I have been given the opportunity to learn and apply key skills required to work within the construction industry at such a young age (16) from such highly experienced and knowledgeable colleagues.

What is the most challenging aspect of your job?
My journey hasn’t been as difficult as I first thought it might be. There are a few obstacles that can be overcome with time and practise, for example my written skills are improving, as is my ability to now bring new ideas to meetings.

What did you study at entry level in order to support your career path?
The T-Level was the beginning of my career; it provided me with an opportunity for which I will always be grateful for. The course enabled me to gain a taste of an industry whilst studying at the same time, making it easier to complete assignments whereby I was actively working within the industry, and provided me with a deeper understanding of my College modules than I could have ever gained by simply being in just a classroom environment. An good example of this is where college taught me about Piling foundations, however it was my work experience out on site with Vistry which actually educated me as to how a Piling foundation was installed! Vocational learning at its best!

Name three ‘key skills’ you have learnt since embarking upon this Apprenticeship?

Team work - working as a teams is always great; it brings bright ideas to the table when confronted with any challenges. The T-Level made me realise the importance of teamwork especially in construction, for example: small design details not shared within the team could ultimately impact on a project.
Confidence - getting your points across to others; I have learnt that confidence is a crucial key skill not only in construction but in day to day life. For instance, it has helped me overcome my fear of presenting at college!
Discipline – maintaining discipline in my work day and punctuality will allow me to remain one step ahead and advance in my profession. Discipline is a key aspect in staying focus in any career.