Holdfast Training Services Trial Blog

Three weeks into working for a Data Centre (DC) developer, it is clear that the experience won’t follow the typical ‘blueprint’ of a PET course secondment. The developer can identify opportunities for clients, initiate a project and create concept designs, before a Release for Proposal (RFP) for detailed design and then construction contractors. They are then responsible for overall project planning and management, scheduling, budgeting, risk management and quality. In the world of DCs, they are the specialist link between Contractor and Client.

The typical secondment of 7 months with the contractor followed by 7 months in the design office is tried and tested, providing the site experience necessary to lead engineering works and the technical knowledge to oversee technical designs. The developer space, on the other hand, appears considerably more fluid. Depending on the relationship with the employer, there are links to the contractor, the designer, the commercial team, legal, H&S, QA and more throughout the project. Earlier exposure to the ‘bigger picture’ and the wider stakeholders can present an opportunity to pick and choose challenges to tailor the experience. 
 

My experience will primarily be within the DC developer design team, with a focus on a construction in Slough. There are 3 different buildings on site at different RIBA stages (commissioning, construction and technical design). Placement within a developer team appears to present significant opportunities and challenges for gaining the required experience against UKSPEC standards, discussed below.

Opportunities:
 

• The developer has significant commercial involvement throughout, from routine client and contractor management to OFCI (Owner furnished, Contractor installed) equipment procurement.
• The developers are the specialists; the contractor may not be. This forces an intimate understanding of the design to facilitate construction, in order to meet the unique client requirements. Design, development and engineering problem solving (Comp B) opportunities are everywhere you look.
• RFI and change management – the developer will manage principle designers and contractors through the RFI and change process. This presents considerable opportunity to develop technical knowledge (Comp A) across the project life cycle.
• This ensures a unique, holistic project experience throughout, with design input through to quality assurance and commissioning responsibilities.
   

Challenges:

• There isn’t the same concentrated site experience that would be achieved with a contractor. Developer project management is done at a high level (particularly the oversight of principle contractor), meaning the opportunities to lead and manage works are fewer (Comp C).
• Working for a multi-disciplinary specialist = a steep learning curve! Understanding the interfaces between M&E, Civil & Structural, Utilities and OFCI vendors in an unknown-to-you industry is a tall task.
• It isn’t the ‘proven route’. The experience isn’t on rails; you have to work hard to understand where opportunities exist and where you can add value.

The result is a fluid role that could mould to the required experience for the student. Provided that opportunities are exploited to lead on site, whether verifying ongoing works or carrying out H&S reviews, the work in the developer space should marry up with the UKSPEC competencies. For the PET course, this could provide an alternative path towards chartership in expanding, innovational industries.