A Day in the Life of CB Homes’ Assistant Site Manager
Harry Goodwin joined CB Homes four years ago as an apprentice joiner. He has rapidly worked his way up to become an Assistant Site Manager and is now studying for a degree in Construction Site Management to become a Site Manager.
How did you come to join CB Homes?
After completing a degree in Sport and Exercise Science I travelled extensively, spending a good deal of time in Asia before settling for a while in Australia. While living there I gained some experience in demolition before working as a joinery assistant. I really enjoyed that so when I returned to the UK I set about finding out to become a joiner.
It became clear the best route to become a fully qualified joiner was to find an apprenticeship and that’s how I come to work at CB Homes, as an apprentice joiner. I was supervised on site and then had to have lots of work signed off by my training provider to show that I knew how to do all sorts of joinery tasks properly, from attaching hinges to a door to fitting a staircase.
From demolition to construction…
Once I had got my joinery qualifications and had learned more about construction, I decided I wanted to progress my career further, so I signed up for a Foundation Degree to study Site Management at Cheshire College.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
When it comes to joinery specifically, I like thinking about all the details of a particular job I’m working on and basically how to make it as good as possible! In my current role of Assistant Site Manager, I really like working with people as part of a team and seeing a project develop as the result of us all working together, so that’s a big part of what I like about working at CB Homes generally.
Which aspects of the Site Management Course do you enjoy most?
It’s all very interesting to be honest but I think the modules I like most are those on building technology, where I’m learning about new materials being used in construction, especially how they can help us achieve sustainability goals and just be better for the environment.
What does a typical day look like for you in your Assistant Site Manager role?
I start on site around 8.00am and then the tasks for the day depend a lot on which site I’m working on. On any given day I may be working with another 15-20 people on site and the next day I might just be with one other person. I have worked across all sorts of CB Homes’ projects, from our beautiful one-off bespoke self-build projects to our small developments of a few houses. I’ll usually be on-site until around 4.30pm before heading home.
Why do you think people like CB Homes’ houses?
I think on the self-build side, clients like being able to have as much input as they would like into the house design and loads of flexibility with finishes etc that they want so their house is really unique and exactly what they want. I think on all our houses, it’s the high quality of the build, the beauty of the designs and the attention we pay to even the tiniest details that our clients really love.
CB Homes is always on the lookout for the right candidates to take on apprenticeships. Construction apprenticeships are a great way to learn skills and gain a qualification whilst earning a wage. Apprentices work on site with both CB Homes’ colleagues and sub-contractors and also attend college to achieve an academic qualification. It’s a great entry route into the construction industry and is ‘futureproofing’ to make sure that the vital skills the industry needs can be provided. Contact Alex on 01829 730244 for more information about apprenticeships with CB Homes.
Interested in building your own home? Talk to us about our complete self-build package. who will work on the company’s projects across the region, with opportunities to progress, just like Harry.
