Daniella Benjamin is forging a career in construction as part of Bellway’s graduate programme. After taking a year out of her architecture degree course to have her son, the young mum is no stranger to balancing the demands of work and home life. Nadine Buddoo speaks to her
Right now, my role mainly involves doing inductions for new workers as they start on site and ensuring their risk assessment method statements (RAMS) are signed off.
I also carry out daily checks around the site, making sure pedestrian routes are clear and properly placed, and that the hoarding is secure with no gaps or openings.
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However, my main focus has been on learning. I spend a lot of time with the site managers, observing what they do and understanding the reasons behind their actions.
Additionally, I go out with the NHBC inspector to learn what they look for during their inspections.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
The opportunity to learn hands-on and gain real insight into how the site operates. I get to observe experienced site managers and see the decisions they make in real-time, which helps me understand the bigger picture of construction management.
It’s rewarding to be part of the process and know that I’m contributing, even in a small way, to keeping things running smoothly.
What is the proudest moment of your career so far?
My career is still in its early stages, but [so far] I’m most proud of getting to this point and finally being able to start my career.
The journey to reach here wasn’t easy, but I kept the bigger picture in mind and pushed through the challenges.
Being a single mum while also studying wasn’t simple, and there were many sleepless nights. I’m incredibly proud of myself for persevering and making it happen.
What advice would you give to anyone struggling with the demands of parenting, studying and pursuing a career in construction?
My advice would be to take it one step at a time and remember that it’s okay to ask for help. Balancing parenting, studying and building a career in construction is no small feat, so don’t be too hard on yourself.
Having a solid support system can make a huge difference too. Don’t hesitate to reach out to family, friends or your employer if you need help with childcare or some flexibility with work hours.
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