Apologies for not posting for a while, poor excuse I know but the months just seem to fly by. For something a bit different from my usual offering, I have asked one of my technical colleagues Helen Aird to put something together along the lines of “a day in the life of a Technical Sales Engineer”. Helen has recently joined the technical team so hopefully you may find this interesting to hear how she has integrated her geological background into the black art of temporary works!
A month in the life of a newly joined Technical Sales Engineer is definitely a varied one. The saying 'every day is different' seems to apply to my role very well but it keeps me on my toes and I am really enjoying the challenge. I joined Groundforce Shorco six months ago with a degree in Geological Science and a few years site experience but nothing could have prepared me for what was about to come! So here is what I have been up to this last month.
As part of my introduction and my ongoing training plan at Groundforce, my first week involved me attending a practical training course in Kings Lynn for a CITB (The Construction Industry Training Board) course. This course was called “Construction skills/CPA – Use of Propriety Shoring Equipment” and lasted three days – most of it outside in the windswept Norfolk countryside digging and shoring holes in the ground. Thank goodness the weather man was wrong and the elements turned out to be kind so my learning was aided by the lack of rain and warm sunshine! The course is aimed at people who work on site and are involved in supporting excavations using proprietary shoring systems. It provides an insight into choosing the appropriate systems and the practical and technical knowledge of how to safely install them, along with an understanding of the relevant legislation.
The course turned out to be a brilliant way of strengthening relationships with other team members of Groundforce whilst learning practical skills relating to shoring equipment. I learnt a lot of new site skills as well, but we all had a good laugh at my total lack of ability with a piling hammer and I didn’t exactly excel at giving accurate hand signals to the crane driver when trying to install maxi brace. (I’m not sure what he thought my gestures meant – but I can guess!) I loved attending the course – so much so that I brought back some East Anglian flint to add to my rock collection. Sad, I know!
The following two weeks of the month involved meeting clients, attending design meetings and arranging GFsafe design software demos and training presentations. I managed to secure several appointments and visit various clients to introduce and promote Groundforce all over the northern region. Part of my remit is to install our temporary works design software onto PC’s for construction companies and design consultancies, and to give demonstrations and guidance on how to use this software.
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The last week of the month saw me undertake my first solo attempt at giving our 'Appropriate Use of Shoring Equipment' presentation to a group of ten engineers and site agents. I managed to put aside the nerves and dry mouth to give a successful delivery without using too many 'um’s' and 'ah’s' or babbling on endlessly! Nobody fell asleep, or asked questions which I couldn’t answer and I managed to escape alive to fight another day. This counts as a result in my book and a boost to my confidence and skills and a perfect end to a busy productive month.
All said and done, I have had a great month but who knows what next month will bring .... I am here ready and waiting, your Technical Sales Engineer signing off for now.
Helen Aird
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