From an internship to a major construction site

Why don’t you introduce yourself briefly: who are you and what are you currently doing?

Vince: I’m Vince and I’ve been working in road construction since September 2017. I started with my three-year apprenticeship as a road builder and have stayed in the trade ever since.
These days, I work as a skilled labourer on various building sites – from traditional road construction to larger infrastructure projects. I find the variety of work out on site particularly exciting: no two days are the same and you’re always right in the thick of things.

You’ve already completed your apprenticeship with us. How did you first hear about us back then, and why did you choose road construction?

Vince: I actually found out about the job through a newspaper advert. After that, I did a one-week work experience placement at STRABAG in Augsburg – right on a construction site on the B17.
It quickly became clear that this was the right fit. At the start, everything was new; I felt as though I was starting off with ‘two left hands’, but that changed quite quickly. It was simply great fun to get straight into the practical side of the work and see something take shape.

How did you find your apprenticeship?

Vince: The apprenticeship was very hands-on and well-structured. The first few weeks were all about getting to know the processes and getting a feel for the work on site – always under the guidance of experienced colleagues.
Step by step, I was then involved more and more and was able to take on an increasing amount of work independently.

The training weeks in Stockdorf were particularly valuable, where we learnt the basics of road construction in intensive practical sessions – for example, paving and various craftsmanship techniques.
The STRABAG training centre in Bebra was also an informative addition, as it allowed us to go into greater depth on many topics and practise under realistic conditions. This enabled us to consolidate what we’d learnt straight away and feel more confident in our day-to-day work.

What motivated you to continue your career with the company after completing your apprenticeship?

Vince: Above all, the variety of tasks and construction sites. No two projects are the same – every construction site brings its own challenges, different procedures and new technical requirements. That’s exactly what makes the job exciting.

For example, I’ve worked at the airport, in Memmingen, in Kitzingen and on the A6 motorway, as well as on smaller building sites and at railway stations. You’re constantly learning about different ways of working and approaches.
Added to this is the strong team environment: working alongside experienced colleagues who share their knowledge has further supported my development.

You’ve worked in traditional civil engineering and fibre-optic network roll-out. What did you particularly enjoy about that?

Vince: The most interesting thing was getting to know the construction methods and processes. Fibre-optic network roll-out often involves very precise work in cable laying – for example, when laying empty conduits into which the fibre-optic cable will later be blown.
Everything has to fit perfectly to ensure that the subsequent installation goes smoothly.

The work is clearly structured and repetitive, which, whilst providing a sense of security and sharpening one’s eye for precision, can also become somewhat monotonous in the long run. That’s why the move to projects offering more variety and different challenges was all the more exciting for me.

 
You’ve been working at Memmingen Airport since the start of this year. What’s different there, and what appeals to you about this new challenge?

Vince: At the airport, a lot of things are on a whole different scale. The work is very specialised and meticulously planned – for example, when installing utility lines around flight operations or meeting the requirements for the runway. It’s technically and organisationally very complex and was a new experience for me in this context.

What’s particularly exciting is that every task has to be precisely co-ordinated, because flight operations continue and everything has to run smoothly. That brings a completely different dynamic to day-to-day work.

The surroundings are, of course, impressive at first, with aeroplanes taking off and landing right next to the construction site. Although this becomes part of everyday life over time, it still feels special – especially when a German Armed Forces aircraft taxis or takes off directly over the site.

What are your career goals for the future?

Vince: The next step for me would be to become a foreman. After that, I’ll see how things go – perhaps I’ll go on to become a master craftsman at some point.

If you could give new trainees one piece of advice – what would it be?

Vince: Without a doubt: be attentive and observe carefully. The best way to learn many things is by watching others closely. At the same time, you shouldn’t be afraid to ask questions and get stuck in.

Thank you very much for the fascinating insights into your career path, Vince. We wish you all the best for the future!