BBA Career Profiles
Career Profile - Natalie Thompson
Technical Trainee
What is your background?
I left school with A-levels in Maths, Physics
and Chemistry. I then went to the University of Liverpool where I
gained an undergraduate degree in Geology and Geophysics. After
university I worked and travelled before applying for the Technical
Trainee programme at the BBA. This was the perfect opportunity to
develop a technical career whilst continuing with further
education. I did not have a background in construction however my
scientific background has given me a good grounding.
Which part of the BBA’s business did
you join and how has your career developed?
I joined the BBA in 2009 as a Technical
Trainee in the Materials Team, which is part of the Product
Approvals and Certification area of the business.
The aim of a Technical Trainee is to acquire
and develop the knowledge and skills required to be a BBA Project
Manager. Initially I worked alongside colleagues learning everyday
tasks and over time I have taken on more responsibility and
increasingly work independently managing my own assessment
projects.
As part of my training I have attended various
internal and external courses selected to increase my skills and
knowledge. These included courses on durability, technical writing,
Excel and understanding dampness. This year, 2011, I visited the
Ecobuild exhibition which gave me a greater insight of the
construction industry.
I am currently studying part-time for a
Masters degree in Materials Science and Technology at Loughborough
University, which has been funded and supported by the BBA. This
complements the practical work experience I am gaining and when I
graduate next year I am confident that I will be ready to progress
to Project Manager.
Describe your current job and how you
think your work affects the BBA as a whole?
Currently I manage numerous projects, which
include the assessment of roof waterproofing products, masonry
coatings and gas resistant damp-proof membranes, in particular
their performance and fitness for intended use. Along with
assessment work there is the ongoing maintenance of existing
Certificates to ensure the products comply with the specification
originally assessed. This involves following up surveillance
reports from places of manufacture and keeping up to date with
Building Regulations and Standards.
There are two sides to the role of a Project
Manger which as a Technical Trainee I have tried to develop. There
is the Project Management side which requires organisation skills,
working within defined timescales and dealing with the needs of
clients and other BBA departments. Then there is the technical side
which requires knowledge and experience of the materials and
products under assessment. The role of a Project Manager is
integral to the success of the BBA and Agrément Certification is a
key part of the BBA’s business.
I am about to embark on the final year of my
MSc where I hope to combine my final year project with my work at
the BBA. I hope to research an area that will be of mutual benefit
to me and my colleagues.
How would you describe the BBA and the
people you work with?
There is always something new to learn as the
BBA is always striving to develop new products and services for our
clients, for example taking the initiative in responding to the
current emphasis on climate change and the reduction of carbon
emissions.
The BBA is a very friendly place to work. The
staff are from a diverse range of backgrounds and most of my
colleagues have worked for the BBA for a number of years so have a
lot of experience and specialist knowledge. Overall the BBA
provides a pleasurable and flexible working environment where there
is scope for progression in a technical career.
Career Profile - Iain Macmillan
Technical Trainee
What is your background?
After completing A levels in Mathematics, Physics and Computing
I was planning to do a degree course at University. However, I
noticed the BBA was offering a Technical Trainee position,
including the opportunity for further study, and, as I am very
interested in construction, I applied and was appointed to
the job.
Which part of the BBA’s business did
you join and how has your career developed?
I joined the BBA Materials Division in 2008
and, with guidance from my manager and colleagues, I selected a
part-time degree course studying Building Engineering at the
University of Westminster. I began the course in September 2009 and
am fully sponsored by the BBA; it covers a range of topics both
relevant and useful to the BBA and me.
As a Technical Trainee I am learning to manage
my own assessment projects, liaising with clients towards Agrément
Certification. As part of the training, I have witnessed a wide
range of laboratory tests and have undertaken visits to
manufacturing locations to gain an understanding of the auditing
process. These activities are helping me gain experience of the
construction industry and to become progressively more involved in
the key areas of work within my department. As part of my ongoing
development, I have also attended many training events and seminars
that compliment my work and are providing useful information
relevant to my academic studies.
How do you describe your current job
and how you think your work affects the BBA as a
whole?
The Technical Trainee Programme has been
specifically developed by the BBA to offer Trainees the opportunity
to gain valuable practical work experience whilst continuing with
further education. The Programme encourages and supports Trainees
with part-time study, in relevant subject areas, designed to
compliment their working activities.
A mentor is allocated to each Trainee to
provide training and help them settle into the company. With the
help and support of their colleagues, all trainees work through a
structured induction plan, giving them the opportunity to
understand their job and the function of each department within the
BBA.
BBA Project Managers are the core of the
organisation and becoming fully trained is something to aspire to.
Since joining the BBA, my workload has increased and I can see
myself becoming more and more independent as time progresses. I am
certain that the key skills I am acquiring will be useful in the
future.
Trainees are encouraged to implement the
practical skills gained from their work-based training along with
the further learning from educational courses and seminars. This is
helping me build a sound working knowledge of the construction
industry and to reach my ultimate goal of becoming a fully trained
BBA Project Manager.
How would you describe the BBA and the
people you work with?
As I gain understanding through my training and courses I am
able to participate more in technical discussions and meet with
clients. The job has brought me new challenges and I have the
grounding in a successful company which I hope to be with for years
to come, with a degree under my belt and a job as a fully trained
Project Manager.
Working at the BBA is a valuable and worthwhile experience. The
knowledge contained within the BBA is very diverse, leading to me
learning new things everyday. I enjoy being involved, as part of a
team, at the forefront of construction innovation, which forms a
crucial part of our company’s activities.
Career Profile - Paul Smith, Management Systems
Assessor
What is your background?
My early working life was spent in mechanical engineering,
specifically the construction of industrial weighing and processing
equipment. I did my apprenticeship with my first employer and
stayed for some fifteen years before making a career change, when
in 1983 I joined the National Coal Board. Eleven years later I
started work with ZF Great Britain, a branch of the German ZF
Automotive Group in Nottingham, progressing over thirteen years
from calibration lab technician to Standards Manager. In ZF I
assisted with the development and implementation of ISO 9001, 14001
and Corporate Management Systems, both in the UK and in Europe, as
well as working with Customer Standards from automotive, marine,
military and rail industry sectors.
I left ZF in 2007 to join the BBA as a Management Systems
Assessor.
How has your BBA career developed?
My principal role in BBA has remained unchanged, however the
type and intensity of the work has certainly gathered pace. I
started with Agrément Certificate assessments solely in the UK at
first, then into locations in Europe and Scandinavia before going
further afield. The type of assessment visits have grown, and now
include Reproduction Certificate, Microgeneration and ISO 9001
Management System Certification. I foresee my role expanding into
the Environmental arena in due course, as the customer base for
this Standard grows.
Describe your current job and how you think your work affects
the BBA as a whole.
My role as a Management Systems Assessor involves visiting
factory locations to carry out assessments of production,
principally for Agrément Certification. These visits are Initial
visits, routine Surveillances and periodic Reviews, In addition I
now perform assessments under the Microgeneration Certification
Scheme for products in the renewable energy market, and ISO
9001:2008 Quality Management System audits, where often these are
combined with Agrément Certificates.
The role of the Assessor is a critical one for the BBA, as we
project a personal presence to the customer, which is important
from a customer service standpoint. Our Clients see us as one of
their Suppliers, and maintaining close customer contact is vital,
especially in resolving any problems that might arise. They can be
quick to pass comment in these cases, and we, as the personal face
of the BBA, are there to hear their concerns first hand and feed
them back for appropriate action.
How would you describe the BBA and the people you work
with?
Among Certification Bodies the BBA is unique, offering a wide
range of products which cover a broad variety of product areas. As
such there is extensive specialist experience to be called upon
through every aspect of the assessment and Certification process.
We always strive to improve the services we offer to ensure our
Clients get the support they deserve.
Peter Maddern, Inspection
Manager 
What is your background?
I worked for Tarmac Construction for 12 years before leaving to
complete an HND in Construction Technology Management. Whilst
studying I commenced with West Lancashire District Council as a
Building Inspector where I worked for two years before joining the
BBA in June 2002 as a FENSA Inspector.
How has your BBA career developed?
Initially my job involved the inspection of replacement windows.
It soon developed to include reporting on FENSA requests and the
assessment of installers for the Quality Mark Build or the Ultra
installers scheme.
The Inspection team and the business grew considerably over the
next couple of years, and in March 2005 I was promoted to FENSA
Inspection Manager. In January 2008 I was promoted to Inspection
Manager responsible for all the BBA's inspection resource.
Describe your current job and how you think your work
affects the BBA as a whole.
I am responsible for two inspection Managers, numerous
inspectors and administration staff, providing thousands of
inspections and assessments on cavity wall insulation, general
building works and replacement windows. I provide annual budgets
and coach and develop staff to deliver them, whilst maintaining
required levels of quality. I provide management reports of
progress and forecasts of delivery against budget. I act as a focal
point to internal, client and customers enquiries and keep up to
date with all relevant legislation, regulations, and technical
documentation.
In addition, I represent the BBA externally including seminars
and conferences and liaise with BBA clients and other bodies as
appropriate.
I think the services we provide help to maintain and enhance the
technical integrity and diversity of the BBA.
How would you describe the BBA and the people you work
with?
The BBA is a forward thinking organisation committed to
excellence, employing enthusiastic people who I find are a pleasure
to work with.
Luke Adams, Sector Manager - Windows, Doors and
Conservatories
What is your background?
After I left school I decided University life was not for me and
worked in a Laboratory in St.Albans testing food products for
routine analytical testing. A year or so in this work I realised
how valuable additional qualifications were to my career and looked
into day release Chemistry which my then employer happily offered.
I studied ONC Chemistry at Luton College one day a week and carried
out my normal duties as Lab Technician the rest of the time.
Unfortunately the Test laboratory closed down after two years and I
was made redundant.
Which part of the BBA’s business did
you join and how has your career developed?
I joined the Test Services department of the
BBA in 1988 when I was at Luton College studying ONC Chemistry on
day release from my previous employer. After completing my ONC the
BBA agreed to continue my education and I progressed to HNC Applied
Chemistry on Day Release at Hatfield Polytechnic and then opted for
a degree course also on day release at Hatfield Polytechnic which
then became University of Hertfordshire.
After graduating with a degree in Applied
Chemistry I remained in Test Services testing the various products
for BBA approval, concentrating mainly on PVC-U products such and
windows, doors and conservatories.
In 2000 I was appointed as a BBA Project
Manager dealing generally with Assessment of PVC-U products such as
Windows, Doors and Conservatories but also Cladding and Rooftrims
and therefore drawing on my past experience in the testing
laboratory.
I also trained as an auditor which has allowed
me to visit many manufacturing locations around the UK and even
Europe to audit various manufacturing locations against their
production control.
In 2008 I was appointed as Sector Manager –
Windows, Doors and Conservatories, which in addition to the
existing Project managers role I already carry out, allows me to
look at the industry more closely and speak/meet with clients more
to understand what they want from the BBA and make sure we are in a
position to help them.
Describe your current job and how you
think your work affects the BBA as a whole.
I currently assess many plastic and PVC-U
related products including Windows, Doors and Conservatories,
Claddings and Rooftrims, Rooflights and Skylights etc for BBA
approval but these project areas are not exclusive as the list
could go on because of the uniqueness of BBA approval allows for
assessment of any innovative construction product.
The role of Project Manager is a very
important part of the BBA without which the BBA couldn’t function
as well as it does. The assessment involves subjecting the product
to various tests in order to determine its suitability in a ‘fit
for use’ scenario by comparing these results with the requirements
of various British, European or International Standards against
Building Regulations.
Unlike many other Project Managers I am also
qualified in auditing and this involves carrying out inspection
visits to manufacturing locations to witness their production
control procedures. This again is an essential part of the ongoing
Certification to ensure the manufactured product remains the same
as previously assessed.
My role as Sector Manager allows me to look at
a particular industry and see how the BBA can develop and enhance
its capabilities to provide the best possible service for clients.
This involves sitting on and joining many Trade Associations to
understand the industry more.
How would you describe the BBA and the
people you work with?
I believe the BBA works very well as a team. Where it has a
wealth of knowledge in product performance and has the ability to
look at any new innovative construction product by calling on this
knowledge of different product areas.
The BBA has a very friendly environment where staff work closely
with each other to achieve the one goal – customer satisfaction
through BBA Approval.
There is a small turn around of staff in general and most staff
stay at the BBA for long periods. If anything I would notice that
staff levels have increased to fulfil the increasing workload
rather than to replace a staff member who had left. There is
obviously a happy environment here with an attractive pay scheme
for people to stay with the company.
I personally enjoy the challenges this job brings.