Kate Morgan - Technical Trainee
Transport Development Group
What does your job involve?
I am currently on a two-year Technical Trainee scheme, which involves different placements every 6 months. As part of this scheme I attend college one day per week to study Civil Engineering at HNC level and have experienced a variety of work placements, which gives me a broad view of the work Transport Development Group carries out. So far I have worked within Major Projects, Road Safety and Safety Audit, and my current placement is in Estates Roads.
My current role involves looking at designs for new estate roads, ensuring that they meet the required standards so they are a safe environment for residents to live in and ensuring that they do not present additional maintenance to our highways department once we have adopted them. I deal with a wide variety of people, both internal and external.
What skills and qualifications do you need to do your job?
You need to have good communication skills with both internal and external customers at all levels. As well as having good organisation skills, it's also useful to have a logical approach to problem solving.
How long have you been doing your job?
I moved into the Environment Directorate of Somerset County Council in September 2007 and my first placement was in the Major Projects Team.
What did you do before this?
I previously worked with Social Services in a number of positions, including Customer Care worker, personnel and payroll advisor, training co-ordinator and as a Team Leader with our customer services team.
What's the best thing about your job?
Every day I learn something new, I have woken up the "grey cells" and my brain is now the best exercised muscle in my body! The work I have been involved with has opened up a whole new world to me. I didn’t realise just how much work went into providing a safe road network for the general public and visitors to Somerset.
I have particularly enjoyed the variety of work and the privileged opportunity of seeing what each section does and how they interact.
Which aspects of your job do you find the most challenging?
Moving around every 6 months has meant getting to grips with new systems and technology. Each section has a different role and focus, so just as you get to grips with one area it is time to move on to another. The trainee scheme is a unique opportunity to see the work that the section "as a whole" carry out and this in turn presents ideas on how improvements between teams can be made. The technical aspects and raft of legislation are also a challenge, but colleagues are usually able to help point me in the right direction.
Do you have any career aspirations for the future?
I would like to spend some time in the Network Management Team, to gain an appreciation of the network maintenance issues they deal with together with the important customer interface they provide. Once I have completed my HNC in July 08, I will be looking towards getting registered as Engineering Technician with one of the Professional Engineering bodies and then continuing to build on my experience and knowledge.
What would you say to someone who was considering working for the County Council?
I have worked for Somerset County Council since August 1992 and have always enjoyed the various roles I have undertaken. I have been given many opportunities to develop myself through training and a variety of work roles and have found that managers are very supportive of this ethos. The pensions scheme is one of the best in the country and has recently won awards; flexible working is promoted and the people I work with are both approachable and professional.
