Member Article

Accountancy graduate and budding quantity surveyor urges young people to consider civil engineering

A high-flying graduate who achieved a first class honours degree in accountancy and finance is carving out a career in the civil engineering sector after being given the opportunity by leading firm Jones Bros.

Steffan Morgan now hopes to inspire other young graduates to enter the sector, even if their degree isn’t directly related to civil engineering.

The 24-year-old, who works as an estimator at Jones Bros Civil Engineering UK, is also studying to become a quantity surveyor and once qualified, late next year, his ambition is to achieve chartered status.

Steffan, of Llandudno, North Wales, achieved his degree at Bangor University and went on to do a masters degree in finance, earning a distinction. Although he had already decided against a career in accountancy Steffan was unsure of which route to take.

“I really had no idea but knew I didn’t want to be an accountant,” said Steffan, who originally hails from Maesteg in South Wales.

“After my masters degree I felt a bit lost, not knowing what to do. I was casting around and spotted a job being advertised by Jones Bros for an estimator and thought it sounded interesting. I applied, got it and have now been with the company for two years.

“Despite not knowing one end of a shovel from another when I started I really love it. My role involves preparing a take-off list when you extract information from a drawing and then transferring this information into an accurate bill of quantities. When this is complete I would conduct cost calculations in order to finalise the total value of the works.

“It’s very satisfying to see the end result and the great thing about Jones Bros is you get to work across lots of sectors including energy and renewables, highways, land remediation and coastal and marine. Working for Jones Bros provides you with a full and varied portfolio.”

Since joining Jones Bros Steffan has been studying for a degree in quantity surveying via a distance-learning course with Salford University. “I will hopefully qualify at the end of 2017 and then plan to go on to achieve chartered status,” he said.

“I would recommend graduates and undergraduates to consider the civil engineering sector as it is a great career and I have proved that you don’t necessarily need a degree in civil engineering.”

As well as training programmes for graduates at Jones Bros there are also apprenticeships in general construction and operating plant machinery with progression to supervisor, foreman, works manager and senior construction manager. A scheme for trainee engineers involves day release at college and learning on site in the holidays.

Founded in the 1950s, the family firm has grown significantly in the last decade. Its areas of expertise include the construction of waste management facilities, highways, flood and marine defence and renewable energy projects.

To find out more visit www.jones-bros.com, or like its Facebook page by searching for “Jones Bros Careers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Sam Harris .