Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Over the last couple of weeks since returning to Curtis Island after paternity leave my world has largely been turned upside down.  Firstly was the decision to move me from the Jetty to the MOF project without any sort of discussion.  PM decision in isolation.  It was probably the right one but completely out of the blue and found out third hand….sound familiar to anyone?!?!?

Week 11 was spent trying to gain control of my areas but the incumbent engineer didn’t want to let go very easily.  I spent most of the week shadowing him and trying not to upset the apple cart.

Week 12 however was a bit different.  From Monday this week I was in the hot seat, my inbox filling up with 30-40 emails a day about stuff I had no idea about.  Steep learning curve and by Wednesday I was starting to drown.  That said, it’s now Friday and I’ve got my head above the water and I am starting to make my mark where required.

The MOF project is behind schedule, over budget and has serious challenges that need overcoming.  I will not dwell on them as they’re not in my remit but they have serious knock on effects across the whole project.  What is an issue though is the lack of coherent communication across the staff and then transferring any of it to the work force.  Major issue and I am already investing time to rectify this where I can.  There is a small “good ideas club” that seem to be talking a lot but doing very little at the management level and it all gets dumped on the junior engineers.  Not good for them and it is clearly visible how low their morale is.  A bit of Serevena banter helps but only papers over the cracks.

In terms of responsibilities, my portfolio has gradually expanded over the week to now include the following:

All king pile wall capping beam construction including reinforcement, concreting, formwork, temporary work platforms, permits, dewatering, pile cages, tie bars, cardan joints, etc

Anything to do with reinforcement.

Anything to do with concrete.

Finishing off the second bulk aggregate barge ramp and abutment.

Flood light footings.

There is more than just the above but it covers most of it.  Overall I am now happier in terms of the work BUT I am being worked doubly hard and have so far missed the ferry 3 nights this week having to catch a later one.  Not an issue but pulling a 15 hour day is tiring for me and not great support for Lisa.

Apart from the above I have hosted the CI and John Reddie on their whirlwind tour of Australia and been keeping up with the coursework schedule.  Not much time for fun stuff but this weekend we’re heading to a local festival for some decent family time.