The JR Group’s Post

Construction is a funny game, With the Emphasis by developers being put on site by how good CQRs are, how many CMLs they can get over the line, spraying and marking plots up to show boat a preplaster, scores each stage inspection gets from 1-6 , 8 week surveys and 9 month surveys. Yet… this last last month being left to build out my site, being given autonomy to deliver a development my way , my output has increased, averaging a house a day, a CQR improved from previous one touching just under a 5, with no marking up plots within an inch of their life just good quality proper construction. All in a Monday to Friday week with no weekends worked and work life balance. Trades engaged and customers happy! I’m sure an educated person could write a thesis on this, but absolutely , Build your team, trust your team and reap the results! Full year for many developers around the corner… how are you achieving your targets?

𝐄𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐨𝐲𝐞𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 - 𝐃𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐞𝐧 𝐑𝐢𝐞𝐝𝐲 Our next employee focus is with Senior Site Manager Damien Riedy who is currently based in Camoge Park. 👉 Where are you from? Newcastle West in Limerick 👉When did you join Clancy? March 2020 👉What does a typical day look like for you? A lot of the day can be taken up with planning & organising but I find its important to be actively involved in the day to day progress on the job by walking every element of the site. That’s where you can make calls or review what’s done. 👉What is your favourite thing about Clancy? Clancy started off 75+ years ago as a family run business and to this day they have never lost that ethos. Working with Clancy’s for the last few years has been a positive for me as they have encouraged and supported me to go back to third level education. Having started my role with Clancy as a senior site manager, all the qualifications I had was my city & guilds as a Carpenter/Joiner along with years of experience working in the industry. After my first appraisal, It was Clancy’s that came to me with an offer on getting back into third level education doing a level 7 in construction management. It was probably one of the best decision I ever did for myself. As soon as I did the Bs Degree in construction management I went on to do the level 8. 👉How did you find the time to study? I discovered rather unique ways of studying without too much interference at home. Either getting up early at the weekends before the house wakes up, listening to podcasts about the topic in the van while commuting or doing some writing while my kids are at sports training in the evening. That said I also needed my families support to get me through it. 👉Share a funny story from your time here We had a TY student on site in Camoge park at the start of the project. The project was in its infancy & there was a lot of groundworks ongoing. One task that happened to be done that week was the laying of the main fowl line, our engineer Sean Crowe spent most of that time down in the trenches with the ground workers setting out and ensuring levels were correct. As part of the TY’s work experience they were asked to spend a bit of time asking questions and observing the site team. When working with Sean the question was asked “so an engineer is like a plumber working with bigger pipes?” Needless to say the ground workers heard this started laughing, after the red flush on Seans face had calmed down he “professionally explained his role” it was the last question I believe the TY student asked. In the transition years defence, they just saw Sean working down in the trenches all week and assumed he was a plumber of some sort. (The TY student was my daughter) 👉Tell us a fact that people may not know about you? Over 10 years ago I was a County Councillor for Fine Gael. It was a tough time during the recession & equally difficult to be a councillor no matter what party you were in. 🖥 www.clancy.ie

A career as an electrician through an indentured apprenticeship set me up on the career path.

For Careers in Construction Month, today we are featuring Ricky Henriquez-Sanchez, showcasing his path that started the restaurant industry and now has found his home in the construction industry! Background and Career Path 1. What inspired you to choose a career in construction? Bob the builder was my favorite show growing up. I always wanted to learn to operate equipment. 2. How did you get started in the industry? I used to work in restaurant management, totally different than construction. However, did a total 180 and went to go work with my step dad in the construction field and have been there ever since. 3. What roles have you held in your construction career? I’ve held many types of roles: loader operator, pipe layer, bank man, lead man, main line operator, back filler, and most recently a project foreman role! 4. Which project has been your favorite or most memorable? My favorite project has been the Old Alabama project. It was special to me because I worked on it from beginning to end and it was my first pipeline job with Ruby-Collins. 5. What do you enjoy most about working in construction? I get to be out in the field and learn new things every day, and working with a team to build a strong bond is probably the best part. Growth and Skills 6. What key skills have helped you succeed in the construction industry? Speaking Spanish and English has been my most valuable skill, being able to understand and explain things to the whole team is extremely helpful. 7. How has the industry changed since you started? It has changed a lot, I see a lot more younger people coming in and actually having an interest in the job! I have also noticed more work life balance from the older people in construction, which is setting a good example for the younger generations. 8. Did you have a mentor? How did they impact your career? If not, would you have liked one? I have had a lot of people I’ve looked up to and asked for guidance growing up in the field, but my step dad is the person that has impacted it the most. He provided me with guidance, advice, a job, and mentorship that helped me get to where I am today. Id say, if you don’t have a mentor, go talk to some of the older guys on your site. Everyone has knowledge that can help someone who its starting out. Advice and Insights 9. What advice would you give to someone new to the construction industry? Don’t be afraid to learn something new, there’s a lot of cool things in construction and it will help you later on having learned new skills. 10. What qualities do you think make a great construction worker? I’d say you need patience, time management, an open mind set, and to be team player. Not one person knows everything, use your team. 11. Why would you recommend construction as a career path? It’s a fun career path, you get a sense of pride when you get to complete or fix a job. There is also room for grow so you won’t ever be stuck in one spot!

Follow Aidan's journey from our workshop to placement ⤵

Sunbelt Rentals Supports James Watt College's (BMet) Groundwork and Infrastructure Department (DIG) "We are thrilled to announce the valuable support from Sunbelt Rentals UK & Ireland at our James Watt College's Groundwork and Infrastructure Department This collaboration will provide invaluable work experience opportunities and access to cutting-edge equipment for our 16-18, adult learners and Groundworker apprentices. This ensures that our learners will gain hands-on experience with the latest industry tools and equipment preparing them for successful careers as skilled groundworkers. We are delighted to work alongside Matthew Hood and his team at Sunbelt Rentals. Their support is crucial in achieving our shared goal of equipping the next generation and currently practicing construction professionals with the up-to-date skills necessary to thrive within the industry.

Just what we need to help bridge the construction skills gap.

“THROWBACK THURSDAY “ My first day as a construction helper was both exhilarating and eye-opening. I arrived on-site on a sunny morning, filled with nervous excitement as the bustling activity around me hinted at the hard work ahead. My supervisor, Joe, greeted me warmly with a firm handshake and emphasized the importance of safety right off the bat. Equipped with a hard hat and safety vest, I was reminded to prioritize safety at all times, setting the tone for the day. Throughout the day, I assisted a team of experienced workers on a residential project. My tasks included fetching tools, carrying materials, cleaning up debris, and ensuring the site remained tidy. The physical demands were intense, and by lunchtime, my muscles ached. Despite this, a sense of accomplishment and pride emerged as I contributed to the team's progress. What stood out most was the crucial role of teamwork and communication. Every member of the team had a specific role, and effective communication was key to preventing accidents and ensuring a smooth workflow. Joe and an experienced carpenter guided me patiently, emphasizing the importance of attention to detail, as it could make or break a project. I quickly learned the necessity of listening carefully and asking questions if unsure, as mistakes could be costly or dangerous. Near the end of the day, I helped with measuring and cutting lumber, learning the valuable lesson of "measure twice, cut once," highlighting the importance of precision. As we packed up, Joe pulled me aside and shared an insightful lesson: "In construction, we're not just building structures. We're building trust, safety, and quality. Every small task matters." Covered in dust and sweat, I left the site exhausted but inspired. My first day laid the foundation for my understanding of the construction industry, teaching me the significance of hard work, attention to detail, teamwork, and the pride that comes from creating something tangible. These lessons have stayed with me, shaping my professional journey ever since. Share your first job or internship memories in the comments.

After being away from work for a vacation or a holiday, it might take time to regain your focus on the job. However, in construction, every person must be responsible for being alert and creating a safe work environment the minute they step onto the job site. Let's take a moment to review a few easy ways to stay safe after a long holiday. #AndaleSafe #safetyfirst #safeworking