CIBSE Young Members

2. Why did you choose Ridge & Partners as an employer?

The reason behind choosing Ridge and partners as an employer was quite a simple one. As young engineers we all want to know that we will be supported, looked after and given the chance to pursue our interests.

My personal choice for choosing Ridge was the feeling that I was going to be part of a team and made to feel important regardless of what my role was going to be. Ridge spoke of sponsorship to attend and support me through University study on a day release basis. This showed to me that they were really encouraging further education and personal progression. Ridge and Partners structured framework to helping all members of staff become chartered engineers, surveyors and architects was also a huge motivation factor for me.

As I am over 2 years on Ridge and Partners have kept their word and pushed me to succeed even more than I could have hoped. As developing young engineers we don’t want to feel worried about asking questions that may seem basic and simple and be worried about the response you will get. I have found that no matter what position different people are in, what job they are doing there is always a feeling that you can openly ask a question and get a response which makes you feel comfortable to ask more. This then helps you gain more confidence and develop quicker.

3. What does your role include at Ridge & Partners? Tell us about a few highlights of your job so far?

When I started at Ridge and Partners I was never fully aware of everything I would be doing and how diverse it would be. My role has included and does include:

• Using AutoCAD to produce detailed designs for building services, including pipe routes and equipment positions etc.
• Carrying out surveys and writing feasibility reports to assess the condition and advise clients of works needing to be undertaken.
• Detailed design of building services systems including heating, hot water and ventilation using traditional methods to understand and enable me to spot any anomalies that may be produced from any SBEM modelling software.
• Carrying out DEC surveys
• Working in different environments requiring a different application including Schools, Hospitals, Police buildings etc.
• Calculating Heat losses, gains etc using theoretical methods and Hevacomp Software.

The list is always growing on roles and responsibilities which are very much like the job where you are experiencing different things all the time.

As a young engineer most of your highlights are related to you achieving something within your employer and the freedom to be able to undertake tasks independently.

For me my highlights were becoming a Licentiate of CIBSE, becoming a DEC qualified Assessor, A Low Carbon Consultant, independently designing building services systems and being able to advise clients on sustainable ideas and reducing their costs. This is all in addition to passing exams at University which is a big achievement to everyone not just young engineers as it takes a lot of personal time and hard work to achieve.

4. What qualifications did you need to get the job at Ridge & Partners?

At the time of Applying for a vacancy at Ridge and Partners I had successfully completed an apprenticeship in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration and also completed my Electrical qualifications I undertook at college during the evenings. I had also just started my HNC in Building Service engineering at The City of Bath College.

As I was applying for a Trainee position an interest and enthusiasm for the job was essential but due to my previous practical engineering skills it was an interest to have a practical perspective on projects.
 

5. You achieved your Licentiate (LCIBSE/EngTech) grade of membership in November 2009 – Just over one year after you completed your course at Bath. Congratulations! Why did you decide to become qualified?

As my education is ongoing and I am still attending University I can still retain the student CIBSE membership with a fairly reduced cost. But instead, I wanted to become recognised for my experiences and achievements in the workplace. In becoming a Licentiate/ Engineering Technician it’s not only a great achievement but it is also a great experience in preparation for the application process of becoming an Incorporated Engineer and a Chartered Engineer.

I plan to work towards IEng and ACIBSE status with CIBSE within the next year but whether or not you want to take this route, the biggest thing for personal progression and a sense of achievement is by setting yourself goals whether it be on a weekly, monthly or yearly basis. It was my task to become LCIBSE Eng Tech for 2009 which I have achieved and I have other achievements for 2010 which I am currently working towards.

6. How do you feel professional membership (i.e. achieving LCIBSE/EngTech) has benefitted you?

I feel that professional membership has increased my confidence to undertake tasks and to sure up my advisory opinions to clients and possessing professional membership seems to confirm to people that you are competent especially when you are trying to convince clients towards low carbon applications with increased capital cost such as heat pumps, CHP and Biomass.

I also believe that since I have achieved LCIBSE status my employer feels that added responsibility is not a concern and the expectation has increased but so has the appreciation for these tasks.

7. How has CIBSE Membership been useful to you as a student and also a young professional?

Whilst a student member of CIBSE I received the CIBSE Journal and a Data Handbook to which I found were extremely useful. The journal was great for showing the potential that building services projects could be like and new ways of implementing ideas. It was a useful source of information for products and regularly introduced me to products that were superior to previously specified ones. I also feel l that in future the Journal will be an essential tool for CPD as the CPD inside the Journal is relevant and helps you to understand new ideas and principles that I have not approached before.

The Data handbook is  also a very useful tool as it saves you time hunting through all the CIBSE guides to find the most common information required.

CIBSE generally has introduced me to new ideas, products and widened my knowledge and increased my ambition to make a difference within the industry. 

8. What would be your advice/tips for students completing their BTEC HNC/HND this year who are interested in becoming LCIBSE/EngTech?

Anybody who is considering about becoming an LCIBSE/Eng Tech member of CIBSE, I would encourage to do so as first and foremost it will give you great satisfaction to be recognised for your accomplishments and also to use LCIBSE Eng Tech after your name. It will also help put a strong case to your employers or future employers that you are competent in your work. It does take time and commitment but I found that it was worth it once you get your certificates through the post.

9. You have recently become a Low Carbon Energy Assessor and Air Conditioning Inspector through the CIBSE Energy Centre. Do you think the industry is changing in response to climate change and trying to introduce more sustainable measures?

I feel that the industry is changing and we are forced to change our way of thinking and way of life within the industry to adapt to climate change. Personally I don’t feel that the Air Conditioning inspections are being forced upon enough as the fines for ignorance are minimal to the cost of the inspections themselves. Inspections, DEC’s and EPC’s are a good idea generally for building services as in provides more work for engineers, more work and money within the industry.

Sustainable measures are being introduced and new ideas are coming out of the woodwork all the time, it’s a very exciting time for the industry it’s just a shame it’s being forced upon us with the climate change. As building services engineers can be responsible for the majority of carbon control on the planet, the methods that are being devised to reduce carbon really show how important engineers are and how much reliance is on us to control the carbon and reduce the effects of climate change. 

10. What do you hope to achieve over the next 10 years of your career?

Well firstly I hope to complete the BENG degree I am studying towards in 2012, once completed I hope to work my way towards becoming chartered. Once chartered, I would then like to work towards making a difference within the industry and being at the forefront of new innovations.

I would also like to work abroad in places such as America or Australia as I am interested in the way different countries work and how different countries are working towards climate change, hopefully I can play a part in improving the situation within the future.

If you will soon be completing your HNC/HND and already have some experience working in the industry why not check to see if you can qualify for LCIBSE/EngTech? The easiest way to check if you are ready is to read the competencies for this grade click here NOW to find out.