CAREER JUNCTION

A Sneak Peek Into Your Future

Check out our Q&A section for that flash of inspiration.

Neil Tuck PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT / CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST Private Practice at Sports Science Institute of South Africa

A Strong Foundation

WHAT DOES YOUR PROFESSION INVOLVE?

My function starts right at the beginning of the job and carries through to the end. It involves everything, from ensuring straight foundations, to setting out and working the levels to a certain height according to the plans. It’s about overseeing colleagues, managing subcontractors, working on roof heights, and other stuff, right down to the finishes – details like tiles and cupboards.

HOW DID YOU GET TO BECOME A CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN?

My father was a bricklayer and from when I was about nine years old I would spend school holidays on-site earning pocket money as a labourer. I didn’t like the effect the years of hard gra had on my father – he suffered from back problems from all the physical work. He urged me not to follow in his footsteps, so once school was over I fell into tiling, which I did for a few years. While I was tiling, I witnessed countless struggles taking place between clients and builders. I noticed the lack of attention to detail, the faults and poor workmanship. A few years later I was offered a position as foreman.

WHAT TRAINING DID YOU HAVE TO DO?

On-the-job training. Everything I know is thanks to experience.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD FOREMAN? ANY TRAITS ONE SHOULD HAVE (OR NOT HAVE)?

You have to be strong, hard but not too hard. It’s about balance, about not being overpowered. I’m a so person by nature and am a different person at work to who I am at home. The labourers need to know who’s boss. You definitely need to be a good communicator.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION

Every day something goes wrong and I feel responsible! Mistakes mean cost implications. You need to be constantly on the ball. The daily routine depends on the job and the stage it’s at. My work involves all aspects of the job.

WHAT PARTS OF YOUR JOB DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?

I love my work, there’s nothing I don’t like. I love being outside, not sitting in an office and working in all sorts of different places. I’m happy working for someone else too, I prefer it to always having to look for more work and struggling to meet payments. As long as I can put food on the table for my family and take the kids to the doctor, I’m happy. I believe money is evil, it changes personalities.

WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT WORKING IN CONSTRUCTION?

Winter when it’s cold and wet is particularly challenging.

DO YOU HAVE ANY WORDS OF ADVICE FOR THOSE STARTING OUT IN YOUR PROFESSION?

The same advice my father gave me: don’t do hard labour. Choose a trade and become good at it. Be humble, work hard, be prepared to learn and to take direction from others.

DESCRIBE YOUR JOB IN THREE WORDS

Challenging • Outdoors • Rewarding

Pinky Mgobhozi RECRUITER Fempower Personnel