Trainees around the world: Anne’s placement in Canada.

Why did you choose the trainee programme at ZÜBLIN?

Despite my work placements and part-time student jobs, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure whether site management was the right path for me. What was clear to me from the very beginning, however, was my enthusiasm for specialised civil engineering. The trainee programme was therefore the perfect way for me to join the group. I had the opportunity to get to know different departments, understand processes and gain different perspectives. This not only allowed me to gain valuable insights, but also to further solidify my career choice.

How did your trainee programme go?

During the 15-month trainee programme, I was able to rotate through seven placements at three different locations in Germany and, to round it off, gain international experience at one of our overseas construction sites. The placements were selected in close consultation with me, ensuring the programme was perfectly tailored to my interests. I started in work planning in Stuttgart, where my tasks included drawing up schedules and site set-up plans. I then moved to our Construction and Mechanical Engineering department. This was followed by two months in the Technical Office in Düsseldorf and a further month at the Technical Testing Institute (TPA). Back in Frankfurt, I deepened my knowledge of cost estimation before moving to the “SEED” construction site. There, I supported the site management team in carrying out the geothermal drilling, which forms part of the sustainability concept for the new group headquarters. After a further placement in Purchasing in Stuttgart, I finally began the international phase of my trainee programme: my assignment on the “ATC2 – Eglinton Crosstown West Extension” construction site in Toronto. 

What made the biggest impression on you during your trainee programme?

What made the biggest impression on me during thetrainee programme was the comprehensive understanding of how the different departments operate. Today, I work with many of these departments on a daily basis and benefit enormously from having already familiarised myself with their processes, challenges and points of interaction. What’s more, over the course of these 15 months, I’ve had the chance to get to know numerous colleagues. This network is extremely valuable, as I now know exactly who to turn to when I have questions or need to coordinate matters. The programme has also helped me develop professionally. My confidence in using various programmes and tools now makes collaboration easier and enables me to support both others and myself. 

Where were you during your assignment abroad?

I spent the last three months of my trainee programme on the “ATC2 – Eglinton Crosstown West Extension” construction site in Toronto, Canada. The project is situated about 10 km north-west of downtown Toronto. There, two parallel tunnel tubes, each around 500 metres long, are being driven using the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM). The scale of the project differs significantly from the specialist civil engineering sites I had previously worked on, and it was incredibly exciting to witness the active tunnelling up close. During my time on site, bored piles were being driven into the ground at the opposite end of the target shaft using the overlapping method. This once again brought home to me very clearly the overlaps between specialised civil engineering and tunnelling.

What memory from your time abroad has stayed with you the most?

What has particularly stayed with me is the international team on the construction site. It was very interesting to learn about my colleagues’ career paths so far; many of them had already worked for STRABAG in various countries. This showed me once again just how varied the opportunities are within the Group. As most of the team members weren’t from Toronto, there was a strong desire to get together for activities after work. This had a lasting positive effect on the team spirit. A particular highlight was STRABAG Canada’s 20th anniversary, which was celebrated whilst I was there at a farm just outside Toronto. Through typically Canadian activities such as archery and axe throwing, we had the opportunity to get to know colleagues outside the “ATC2” construction site as well.

In what ways did your trainee duties in Germany differ from those on your assignment abroad?

In Toronto, I was mainly involved in planning management. This department had not previously been part of the trainee programme, so my responsibilities could only be compared to a limited extent with my duties in Germany. Furthermore, it was my first tunnel construction site, which made this new area of responsibility particularly exciting and instructive. I found it very interesting to learn about the differences in regulations regarding approval processes, responsibilities and project-specific requirements in another country.

How did you spend your free time during your assignment abroad?

Sport plays a big part in Toronto and, as many sports facilities are freely accessible, we regularly played tennis after work and at the weekends. Fortunately, there were several trainees on site at the same time, so there was always someone to join us for activities. Another highlight was attending an NHL ice hockey match featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs. I used my weekends to explore as much of the country as possible. As I enjoy spending time in nature, my itinerary included not only Niagara Falls but also numerous national parks, such as Algonquin Park, north of Toronto. Toronto itself is a very multicultural city. As well as Canadian specialities such as poutine and maple syrup, there’s almost every kind of cuisine to discover here, which further enriched my time there.

What happened next for you after you completed the trainee programme?

After completing my trainee programme, I had the opportunity to choose between a role in site management and a position in the office. It was precisely at this point that the trainee programme really paid off for me. Thanks to the varied rotations and insights I gained, I was able to work out which area best suited my strengths and interests. During those 15 months, I realised that cost estimation was a particular strength of mine and represented the ideal starting point for me. There, I was able to take on my own projects straight away. I’m still very happy with that decision today.

Who would you recommend the trainee programme to?

Especially at the start of your career, it helps enormously to get to know different departments, processes and interfaces in order to develop a holistic understanding of projects and workflows. The programme also offers the opportunity to build a strong internal network and find out which area suits you best.

What does ‘Work on Progress’ mean to you?

For me,‘Work on Progress’ means continuously developing myself, both professionally and personally. It’s an ongoing process in which you’re constantly learning, growing and building on your skills. In my opinion, progress happens when you remain curious, are open to new topics and are ready to take on challenges. With its many stages, new encounters and diverse experiences, the trainee programme was exactly the sort of challenge that allowed me to grow. I’m glad tohave had this experience and am very grateful to have been given this opportunity.

Thank you for sharing your experiences during the trainee programme with us, Anne. We wish you continued success!