Jakub Stawicki - Roads to Success: My Experience with FM Conway

Last week, I had the opportunity to complete a five-day placement with FM Conway, a leading infrastructure services company. The experience was both educational and inspiring. In this blog, I would like to share my journey with you.

Day 1: Introduction and Core Values

The week began at the Sevenoaks Conway House with a warm welcome and a thorough introduction to the company, followed by a detailed health and safety briefing. This got me excited as it meant we would be going on site at some point!

What really stood out to me was learning about FM Conway's core values: Care, Innovation, Integrity, and Excellence, as well as their commitment to EDI (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion). Understanding these values encapsulated FM Conway’s ethos and approach to their work, reinforcing how these values are integrated into every aspect of their operations placed a strong emphasis on my awe.

I was particularly impressed by the company's dedication to sustainability. By pioneering sustainable construction activities and leading the industry in the use of recycled materials, FM Conway significantly reduces its net emissions.

"Our commitment to materials recycling ensures we continue to push the boundaries of material innovation; and through testing trials, demonstrates that higher percentage of recycled content can be used in surface courses."

Hearing that FM Conway recycles up to 98% of highways arisings, which is re-used in paving roads, astonished me because of how much effort has been placed into conducting such a process.

In the afternoon, we had the opportunity to listen to people from different sectors of the industry: professionals such as Information Security Analysts, Senior Contracts Managers and the Road Safety Manager. The Contracts Manager explained how FM Conway surfaced the first LGBTQ+ crossing in London, which left a deep impression on me, exemplifying FM Conway's commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

I was provided with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse career paths within the company, as well as the industry. This was very insightful, as many people don't know how diverse the construction industry is.

 

Day 2: Project Insights and Hands-On Experience

Our next day began with an insightful session led by guest speakers, including two Project Managers and a Civil Engineer. I was provided with detailed overviews of past and ongoing projects, highlighting their work on significant structures such as the Blackfriars Bridge.

I had the chance to view the works on Blackfriars Bridge as my journey to the office crossed paths with the site. The refurbishment of the bridge focuses on implementing a cantilevered scaffold system to minimise structural load and maximize pedestrian space. The project managers discussed the complexities they faced, such as ensuring the safety and security of the scaffold to prevent any hazard to boats on the Thames.

Following this, we engaged in an exercise involving health and safety awareness. Analysing a photo of bridge works above a railway, we identified both risks to human and environmental safety. We proposed solutions, including temporarily closing the railway to prevent interference with ongoing activities. When I learned that such works are given such small timeframes by railway services, I was amazed. It truly shows how effectively the team must work to complete projects on time.

Such time constraints and thoughts were made real when we were tasked to assemble a bridge. This was the highlight of the day, donned in full PPE as if on a live site, we divided into two teams and were set the task of building an 8-metre bridge from opposite ends.

I volunteered as Project Manager, overseeing health and safety measures, ensuring adherence to structural plans, coordinating material distribution and timing between teams. My role required integrating responsibilities from different roles, ensuring compliance with safety standards and structural integrity, while also managing time constraints akin to real-world project deadlines.

The project also challenged me to apply my physics knowledge in managing cable tension to prevent structural issues when boarding the bridge.

 

Day 3: Dartford Recycling Depot Exploration

On the third day, we were taken to one of FM Conway's recycling depots in Dartford, a pivotal hub for their sustainable practices. Once again donned in full PPE, we started the day with practical exercises in traffic management.

Joining the engineering team, we were assigned the task of planning a new traffic system of a road leading into a roundabout undergoing expansion. We aimed to safely accommodate the increased traffic flow through appropriate procedures. For example, I realised that a zebra crossing was obscured by the roadworks. Disabling the vision of pedestrians by incoming vehicles was a giant hazard. Addressing this was crucial to ensure pedestrian safety. This experience allowed me to apply problem-solving principles in a real-world scenario.

After this engaging exercise, we delved into exploring the depot itself. Touring various workshops where machinery, including trucks, diggers and excavators, undergo repair and maintenance. It was fascinating to see the inner workings of these vehicles up close and understand the meticulous care taken to keep them safe and operational.

 

Day 4: Westminster Road Surfacing Project

On day four of my placement, I witnessed the process of road surfacing right outside Paddington Station. The project, commissioned by Westminster City Council, aimed to refurbish several roads in a residential area. This was a huge challenge for the workers as they had to ensure minimal disruption to residents and pedestrians in the area.

The atmosphere was electric, bustling with urgency, machines working away while pedestrians rush to catch a train at Paddington Station. With restricted access to facilitate the rapid progress of work, the team was placed under pressure to complete the project as soon as possible.

The highlight of the day was spectating the sophisticated machinery and coordinated efforts taking place in the resurfacing process. A cold milling machine stripped away the old asphalt and transported it via a conveyor belt system into waiting trucks. The removed asphalt was then later taken to a recycling plant, where after an operation of breaking down and rebinding, recycled asphalt could be reused in further projects.

Following the excavation, we witnessed the paving machine laying down fresh asphalt. It was very satisfying seeing a smooth and durable surface being brought to the ground for years to come. Watching the symphony highlighted the effectiveness and precision of FM Conway's paving capabilities.

While spectating, I was particularly interested in the role of the Banksman, whose responsibility was to guide vehicles safely around the site. I learned that no vehicle could reverse without the supervision of the Banksman; these rigorous safety protocols exposed me to the amount of effort placed in ensuring site safety.

 

Day 5: Reflection and Application Skills

On the final day of my placement, we shifted focus towards professional development with sessions on CV writing and interview skills. These workshops deeply engaged me and provided invaluable insights into crafting a compelling CV. I gained a lot of clarity on how to structure my CV and understanding how to tailor my CV to specific job roles and industries. This undoubtedly enhanced my future job applications.

My week at FM Conway was incredibly inspiring and enlightening. I discovered a lot about the construction industry, from exploring their recycling depots to witnessing a live road surfacing project in action. Each day brought new insights and challenges presented by various teams from different sectors of the industry. The placement expanded my knowledge and certainly inspired me to pursue a career in civil engineering.

I would like to extend my thanks to everyone at FM Conway who generously shared their time, knowledge and expertise with me.

I look forward to applying the skills and knowledge gained on this placement as I embark on my professional journey.

Thank you once again for this incredible opportunity.