12th Nov 2021
Following our recent Q&A with our new Health & Safety Manager Jordan Ostrowski, we’re already welcoming another new starter to the team!
Taj joins us with fantastic construction estimating and design experience, as well as a keen interest in sport. Read on to learn more about his new role, background and experience in our welcome Q&A!
Hi, thank you! My first week has been great in all honesty. At first, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect but my new colleagues have been very welcoming and have helped me settle in quite well. I feel as though I am part of the family already! It’s safe to say I’m really looking forward to getting more stuck in and growing with the company.
I started my career in 2013 when I moved from London to Swindon, working as an Admin Clerk for Swindon Borough Council’s Highways Department. After a few months of being in the role I took a keen interest in how my own role fit within the roles of my colleagues, so from time to time I would shadow our supervisors and designers within the department to gain more knowledge and understanding of what they do and the industry in general. A little after a year of being an admin I was offered the role of Assistant Designer.
I continued in that role for 5 years completing my HNC (Higher National Certificate) in Civil Engineering Level 4/5 and would design highways throughout Swindon Borough, as well as creating tender documents for projects.
In 2019 I was then offered the opportunity to do estimating for a well-established tarmacking company. I spent just over 2 years with them, gaining valuable knowledge and skills while pricing jobs nationwide, providing very competitive rates for new and existing clients.
My new role here at S&C Slatter is in Estimating. The role itself varies, from being out on site visits to reviewing and pricing tender documents for our clients. As part of the team I will be pricing a variety of projects, while being as competitive as I can to deliver maximum value. The team we have here are productive, knowledgeable and ambitious and I know I’ll learn a lot from them.
Though I am still fairly new to the sports construction industry, the biggest change – as with most of the construction industry – has been to adapt to the challenges and constraints caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
At present I think the biggest challenges customers are facing, aside from common challenges such as funding and planning, are dealing with the continued impact of the pandemic and other factors which have led to labour and material shortages. That’s why it’s important to work with companies adept at forward planning and risk mitigation, particularly through having a skilled workforce available in-house.
To start with, my biggest challenge will be to learn and understand the processes and procedures here at S&C, then my focus will be on building a rapport with new and existing consumers, to work collaboratively to advise and assist them in defining their objectives.
Well, the main thing that caught my attention with S&C was the fact that they are a sports construction company. I am really into my sports and of course my career stems from a construction background. So far, I’m finding it really interesting too see how everything pieces together and I’m really looking forward to further develop my knowledge within this industry.
The first advice I would give anyone would be to avoid asking me anything too technical just yet, I’m in my first week so I’m still in the ‘smiling and nodding my head as I try to take it all in’ stage! But in all honesty my advice would be to always seek professional assistance from a sports construction specialist before committing to any works – whether that be a new development, refurbishment or maintenance. It will save a lot of time and money in the long run.
Wow where do I start! So outside of work I get involved with a lot of things entertainment wise. I often host/ present events and shows, I do acting from time to time so I’ve been a supporting artist in a few series, movies and short films. I also manage a few up-and-coming artists for their music. I used to play football, now I just enjoy watching it on my overpriced TV package. For the last few years (since the start of the pandemic) I’ve been getting more into investments and trading again. I live a pretty boring life to be honest!
It’s been great to see Taj settling in to his new role so fast already, a great asset to the team – welcome!
Our estimators are on hand to give you the best possible understanding of what’s possible on site, and at what projected cost.
If you’re considering a sports construction project and want to ensure maximum quality with minimal risk, get in touch with Taj and the team on 01635 345 21 or email info@sandcslatter.com.
