Name: Rhys Greig
Job title: Apprentice structural engineer at Gateley Smithers Purslow
What I do: My role consists of structural design, defect-specific analysis and reports, structural calculations and much more. This focus is mainly within the residential sector, providing properties with support for a variety of matters including design work, impact damage, fire damage and subsidence. Occasionally, it does also include commercial properties, usually working towards a very strict time scale under five-day service-level agreements.
Why I got into the property industry: I wanted to get into the property sector due to the range of projects available compared to other structural engineering roles where design work can become repetitive. In contrast, the property industry offers a broader range of work which, in terms of my own career, will help develop my skill set much further to become a competent engineer. Moreover, the sharp project timescales keep it extremely interesting as you are seeing new issues daily which require the ability to be adaptable to different scenarios.
How I did it: My education journey began at a sixth form college, where I successfully achieved the grades required for my structural engineering apprenticeship scheme opportunity. This followed a series of interviews, delving into my character and personality, as well as my interest in the industry and future career aspirations.
My first proper job: My first real job, and only job previous to my current apprenticeship, was working on the shopfloor in a large supermarket. This taught me the majority of my communication and interpersonal skills, which I’m continuing to develop within my apprenticeship role.
My first big break: My first big break was securing my place on my structural engineering apprenticeship scheme. I was really proud of this moment, as it marked the first step in my career journey to becoming a chartered engineer.
My inspiration(s): My line manager, Jake McGee, is a real career inspiration to me. He has progressed at an ever-increasing rate since entering the property industry and is a great role model in terms of how a structural engineer should operate. I hope to achieve similar success at such a young age, and I plan to follow in the steps of Jake’s progression. This is closely followed by Mark Campbell, regional director and head of our Northern structural engineering team, who has also had phenomenal progression to a senior role at such a young age, proving to me that this is a possible and achievable goal if you work hard and apply yourself.
The biggest challenge I’ve encountered to date: For my first project management opportunity, I was assigned to what was believed to be a simple subsidence job. However, it unfolded into an extremely complex property which is likely to require underpinning. This was a result of various issues that were uncovered from my initial site investigations and came as a bit of a shock. I have continued to manage the job and required works long term and I’m gaining a lot of valuable knowledge and experience as a result.
My greatest achievement/proudest moment to date: My proudest moment to date is actually the formerly mentioned project. Being trusted to manage such an extremely complex project – and the various processes involved – so early in my career has really boosted my confidence and given me a great sense of pride. The works have required strong commercial awareness, management capabilities, communication abilities and much more, and my success to date has led to me being entrusted with various other projects since.
The biggest misconception people have about the property industry: I believe the biggest misconception within the property industry is that structural engineers are only required on large or complex jobs with major issues involved. This is not true; in reality, we are required as early on in the job as possible to ensure the works completed are right from the start.
In my short time within the industry, I have already experienced many instances where structural engineers are not involved in projects until a later date, leading to further complications and uncertainty as the need for technical advice should have been identified much earlier. Consulting with a structural engineer from the beginning of a project can lead to significant cost and time savings far beyond actual service fees.
My biggest bugbear about the industry/the one thing I would change about the industry:
The one thing I would like to see changed within the industry is the continuously tight cost and budget restraints on projects. This often sees professionals reducing their fees when tendering for work in order to try and remain competitive. However, I think it can lead to undervaluing the worth of their specialist expertise and the challenges they are able to overcome to deliver the required work, including strict timescales.
Why I’m so passionate about DE&I: Diversity, equality and inclusion is really important in the industry as we encounter a wide range of people daily during site visits, as well as over the phone and on emails. As a professional, I believe it’s imperative to treat everyone in the same respectful way, whether they are a client, contractor or adviser, regardless of characteristics such as gender, race or age.
Why I’m so passionate about ESG: As a structural engineer, ESG isn’t just a corporate framework to me; it’s the lens through which I see the future of the built environment. Every project I touch has a lifespan measured in decades, sometimes centuries, and that long‑term responsibility shapes the way I think about my work.
Where I’d like to be in five years’ time career-wise: In five years’ time, I hope to have successfully completed my degree apprenticeship and be working towards my chartership with the Institution of Civil Engineers. I would also like to believe I would be working autonomously on my own jobs with confidence.
Who I’d invite, living or dead, to a dinner party: I would like to share dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson, so I can ask him many questions about the players and processes during his legendary time managing Manchester United. I would also like to share dinner with Brad Pitt and Denzel Washington, two of my favourite actors, who I would love to meet. Finally, Wayne Rooney and Roy Keane who are my football idols.
What I do in my downtime: When I am not at work or studying, I manage to enjoy some downtime at the gym, or find that playing padel, squash, football or running allows me to switch off and get outside. When I’m not feeling as active, I love to watch movies.
The job I’d be doing if I was not doing this: If I wasn’t a structural engineering apprentice, I believe I would have still pursued a role within the built environment in a project management or general management position.
My advice for someone just starting out: My advice would be to value commercial ability and interpersonal skills as highly as technical ability. This is just as important for career progression and is the real development needed to become an accomplished structural engineer.
My motto/mantra: Every challenge strengthens the structure.
The 9-15 February 2025 is National Apprenticeship Week. Click here to find out more details about the initiative.
