The Post: Project Manager, Construction Industry Training Board NI (CITB NI)
The Post Holder: Amanda Stevenson
Part of Amanda Stevenson’s role with the CITB NI is helping to ensure that the construction industry has a trained and qualified workforce, now, and in the future.
Give a brief outline of your career to date.
I have worked for CITB NI for over 25 years, starting as an Administrative Assistant and progressing through to roles that have allowed me to promote training and engage with industry partners. Now, as Project Manager for Careers and Employer Engagement, I promote careers in construction to students, teachers and parents and also support construction employers with key information and training initiatives to help develop their workforce.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so what did you study and where?
After sixth year I got a job as an Office Junior on a Youth Training Programme (YTP) with Capital Staff Services, an employment agency in the centre of Belfast. This was a year-long programme and as part of this I attended Antrim Technical College and did a BTEC First Certificate in Business & Finance. After the programme ended I started working in a Venture Capital company (UDC Ltd) in Belfast as an Administrative Assistant. I decided to further my studies and studied part time at Belfast Met College doing an ONC and HNC in Business & Finance over four years part-time evening study.
How did you get into your area of work?
I left UDC to start a family and when the time was right, I applied for a job at CITB NI as an Administrative Assistant. I had made the decision that I wanted to work for a larger company, and one situated outside of Belfast for travelling purposes. I worked with the Building Engineering Services Sector doing administration for courses. After a couple of years in this role, natural gas was coming into Northern Ireland and there was a role at CITB NI for someone to promote natural gas training and assessment and the training grants available to encourage registered employers to get the necessary training to work with natural gas.
I applied for the role, was successful and became Senior Administrator for the Gas Scheme. This role provided me with the experience necessary to apply for a role as a Training Advisor, promoting products and services of CITB NI to the industry. Following a strategic review of CITB NI, I applied for a Project Managers role focusing on Careers and Employer Engagement. I was successful and started my current job in 2010.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
No. I started off wanting to do administrative type roles but as my confidence grew with meeting and engaging with employers in the Training Advisor role, I enjoyed this element and really wanted to make a difference to companies by helping them to get as much support from CITB NI as possible. When the Project Manager role came up, I knew it was right for me. I really love this side of my job. I love being able to chat to young people and help them to build a future career in construction.
What are the main personal skills your job requires?
Being a good communicator and negotiator – being able to build relations with key stakeholders.
Good organisational skills and being able to present to a wide range of audiences – from young people to employers.
Why is what you do important?
CITB NI recently celebrated its 60th anniversary. As part of the celebrations the organisation is fixed on addressing key issues facing the industry, from a shortage of workers, to skills shortages. My role is an essential part of this, as I am encouraging people to think about a career in construction and providing those thinking about getting into the industry with an opportunity to sample different jobs. This is all adding to help secure the future of the construction industry and making sure we have a trained and qualified workforce now and in the future.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Take every opportunity that comes along and step outside your comfort zone because one day it will be the place where you will thrive.
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