Curriculum Vitae

Personal Information

Name: Charles Elliott Harris

19 Chantry RoadStourbridgeWest MidlandsDY7 6SA.

E-Mail; charlieharris@hotmail.co.uk

Phone; 07855 543858

Date of Birth: 20th May 1993 Occupation: Student

Nationality: British Driving License: Full, Clean European

Education & Qualifications;

2004-2009 – Edgecliff High School.2009-2011 – Edgecliff 6th Form.2011-Present – Leeds Metropolitan University.

GCSE’s attained;

P.E B, Double award Science- B+B, English Lit. - B, English Lang. - B, Mathematics- C, R.E- C, Geography- B, Product design- D, Business Studies- B, I.C.T- B.

A Levels attained;

A2 Business Studies B, A2 Physical Education C, AS English E and AS Psychology D.

Accredited Courses;

Emergency First Aid.Asbestos Awareness (UKATA).Site Supervisor Safety Training Scheme (SSSTS).

Full Student Member of Chartered Institute of Building.

I am studying at Leeds Metropolitan University. Bsc Construction Management. (4 Year course completion May 2015).

Placement year undertaken at Sitec Building & Maintenance Ltd, Birmingham.

Reason for my application and suitability from my school education.

I am looking to gain experience in a challenging environment which involves dealing direct with customers. I’ve worked alongside many different types of colleagues in many different areas of work, I am a very understanding individual who would happily take up any type of work in any area. I am able to clearly advise customers in many areas where required, with confidence.

I am very ambitious and can work on my own initiative while being able to socially communicate or act as a team leader. I enjoy working within a team and believe my outgoing personality would be ideal in an enthusiastic environment.I believe that my time studying Business Studies has enabled me to work with numeracy and apply business strategies in the necessary situations. It has also allowed me to broaden my way of thinking in a work environment, tackling problems which may occur and need to be resolved. Along with Business Studies I have also enjoyed A-Level P.E, which fits in very well with business studies too as we studied similar psychological theories. All enabling me to realise what people require keeping them motivated and ensuring maximum productivity whilst working in a team environment. English As and Psychology As have also developed my communication skills.

Professional Experience and Work Achievements;

Work Experience whilst at Edgecliff High School:

I gained a passion for the construction industry over a three year period, having enjoyed work experience with Carillion, Persimmon Homes and Structural Design Partnership Ltd. Working alongside senior engineers at Carillion enabled me to use tools which are used regularly in the industry, the automatic level, total station etc.. to name a few. I have already added to this knowledge, as you would expect at University, where I am hoping to expand on my initial experiences allowing me to pursue my life-long career ambition in construction.

The first of my experiences was with Structural Design Partnership Ltd, a structural and civil engineering company who concentrate on the design and strengthening of existing and new buildings. Being there taught me how to create basic Auto CAD designs for blue-prints used by contractors. My time at this company allowed me to develop a firm understanding of why the drawings are one of the most important factors to a construction site being run smoothly.

I then experienced the house building aspect with Persimmon Homes. They were a major influence in my choice of construction management, spending time with the site manager of a four hundred and fifty house site, enabled me to learn the basic way in which a house building company operates, time management, cost management and communication are major factors on a site. It also gave me an understanding between the differences in regulations and the needs of individuals throughout the spectrum of the industry, keeping to deadlines, while watching cash flow and still being able to organise and manage the people within the business.

My time with Carillion on the Lowesmoor site, Worcester, enabled me to experience many of the problems which may occur. A railway line was excavated which went the length of the site, this was due to the site having been that of where the famous Worcester Pottery and Lea & Perrins products where being produced many years ago. There where disputes over the problem which made it even more interesting to see the ways in which it was handled and the reactions of different workmen to situations. This meant the timescale of the build was put back and the site engineers would have to work around these situations to ensure work never came to a standstill and the consequences of overdue work. The archeologists had a field day. As I already had some understanding of the C.A.D related design, I could understand to some extent the meaning of the drawings which were being put in front of me, along with my time in Uni studying such drawings and gaining the knowledge from C.A.D lessons. I believe I have picked up the technique well enough to improve and expand my ability further alongside your colleagues.

Whilst at Persimmon Homes Ltd, Wolverhampton, I was able to visit numerous Housing sites such as Dears Leap in Birmingham where a 450 housing site was being built. I spent my time with the site manager where he would take me around the site showing me the different techniques to ensure the NHBC and similar building regulations were met. This particular site was working at 40% capacity due to the current economic climate at the time; 2 houses where being built per 6months and this was only due to the fact they were selling 2 houses a month. Morale was low on the site, but I realised how important it was for the site-manager to keep a firm relationship with his foreman and sub-contractors and to not let his guard down on any aspects.

Stourbridge Rugby Club - Stourton ParkJuly 5th 2008 – September 2nd 2010

By working with customers as a member of a group of people who would serve food and drink to members and large functions during both the off season and peak rugby season. I gained experience in customer service and selling skills. I learnt to deal with the general public confidently and provide a welcoming atmosphere. In such a competitive industry, good teamwork skills were essential, similarly carrying out the instruction from the manager at the start and during the evening.

Race Industrial May 2010-September 2012

Working as a store man alongside fellow colleagues ensuring stock products of oil pack sizes were easily accessible for picking and getting ready for delivery. This company was extremely busy and the demands of the job where high and nonstop. I progressed into the office and answered incoming calls from customers, ensuring I came across professionally, with confidence while giving the knowledge which I had learnt within the stores.

Self-employed gardenerMay – September

For a summer job I worked as a gardener were I went out and created 6 or so jobs for myself to keep over the summer, where I completed such jobs including de-weeding, hedge trimming, grass mowing, gutter cleaning, jet washing patios and general tidy up. Showing I have a good work ethic and believe I will suit any job. I made the effort to network with the public in my local area to gain jobs and was able to sustain a firm, friendly relationship with them. I would regularly be passed onto friends or family of the client.This gave me a reasonable income whilst gaining confidence and the ability to easily communicate to many different people. My time keeping is very good, meeting starting times while setting objectives for the days to help me complete the tasks in time.

Kingswinford Design and Landscape2012 summer/Christmas 2013

I was given the opportunity to work alongside very experienced workmen where I learned many of the basic aspects which are undertaken by such employees, the company is small but well established. I was brought in to give the tradesman an extra helping hand, hard graft but great experience. Trolling heavy materials from site to site, keeping them busy ensuring all materials are prepared ready for use. Keeping the efficiency of the job going ensuring no stalling which would damage the timescale and possible damages of the work at hand. During this job we would frequently meet customers and have business and social conversations with which I could easily associate with.

Placement Year

Sitec Building & Maintenance LtdJune 2013 – May2014

I began work alongside experienced colleagues working in all aspects of Design, Build & Maintenance from interior to exterior. I was able to develop my industry knowledge learning all fundamentals needed to become a valuable asset to a construction team.The first 12 weeks I overshadowed the estimator whereby I was able to assist in take-offs, taking into consideration all possible steps which may alter the overall value of a project. Visiting site on various occasions ensuring I was on hand to take down queries for future reference and also contributing where I thought it was suitable to question an area of design or the need for information where necessary, putting into practice the facts learnt at University. Tender pricing was one of the many major steps taken to confirm project costs, possibly the most important, not solely on the price but the way it was formatted in terms of setting site prelims against possible variances. For example measurements of the value of measurements, durations and extras all in with co-ordnance with a standardised contract law; JCT/SNM7/NEC/ICC/Building regulations.Once I had experienced the process at measurement and tender stage it was passed to me to contact all suppliers, sub-contractors building consultants and HSE in order to shop around for the highest quality, value for money products on the market, looking at obtaining and maintaining competitive quotations for goods and services. My responsibilities where increased with the influx of projects. Acting as a site manager with the opportunity to co-ordinate between sites, mainly concentrating on material and resource organisation whilst focusing on the timescale of events. Prioritising has become a key stage in adapting to changes in responsibilities, understanding the steps needed to be taken in order for a site to run be run safely, adhering to all company procedures in order to maintain performance on site and inter-relations across the board. The placement has given me invaluable experience and developed my further taste for the construction industry.

Achievements and Interests

I have many sporting interests, playing rugby at Stourbridge RFC since the age of five, whilst representing The Black Country Colts at District level. I currently represent Morley RFC in National League 3. I thoroughly enjoy playing in team games and thrive on being with friends/team-mates for both the competitive and social aspect. I am also part of several other sporting clubs; Stourbridge Golf Club, Stourbridge Tennis Club and the local gym. Due to having the opportunity in entering these clubs I have created a disciplined confident state of mind with a work-hard ethic which will be vital in my future success. Other interests include game shooting which I’ve participated in since I was 10, enabling me to sculpture an understanding of all types of people and communication skills.