Marcus - Senior Contracts Engineer

I previously worked as an Electrical Contract Manager at a management company, but I was looking to take on further mechanical and electrical responsibilities and manage larger projects through to completion. As a major player in the industry, Aqua fitted the bill perfectly.

My current role as a Senior Contracts Engineer basically involves project managing for both M&E disciplines, starting with lead-in of a contract and ending at its defect liability period conclusion. At the moment I'm managing five major projects with a combined sales figure of £10 million.

It's no easy job, but I enjoy the challenges we face as a team, from design and financial constraints to applying the engineering practices that complete the contract. The pressures of contracting within the larger scale M & E sector constantly test my - and my team's - problem-solving skills. What's more, it's always highly rewarding to reach the practical completion of a contract and be able to assess your successes and achievements.



Sameer - Project Engineer

I am no stranger to the building services industry, having been working in a electrical background for several years. I wasn't sure about moving to Aqua as I must admit the location in Cambridgeshire put me off but this hasn't been a problem at all. The projects are based all over London and the South East and as I'm out on site most of the time, I spend most of the week out and about. My big project at the moment is at the Mile End Leisure Centre in London.

The good thing about Aqua is that they have confidence in what you do and so just let you get on with it. This doesn't mean I don't have any support though - there's always someone at the end of the phone and I'm daily contact with my manager. All in all, I've found everyone at Aqua helpful and friendly.

My role as a Project Engineer sees me look after contracts from start to completion. The procedures here took some getting used to - it's different to my last company. The projects are tightly controlled which is no bad thing and all negotiations take place before the contract hits your desk so it does allow you to get on with your work without doing all that buying.

I would like to stay on at Aqua. Looking from the outside in when I worked elsewhere, it always looked like a company that was holding back. But now I work here, I can see that as a private company it's as big and as busy as it wants to be. Which makes it a good place to be.



Daphne - Accountant

I've been here for the best part of 25 years now, which I'd say is a real testament to company ethos. I started off as a part-time Wages Clerk, but have had a number of opportunities to move around, either into new positions or through promotion.

I now work on Management Accounts but I'm hoping to move into Costings soon. And there's every chance I will be able to. That's the thing about Aqua - managers take the time to recognise the potential of the people in their teams. It's a real confidence booster to know that your manager will fully support you in taking your next career step.

Naturally, there's been a lot of change taking place since I joined in the 80s. I've been lucky enough to see it grow over the years, but all the while the culture has remained friendly and personal. There's a real sense of the company listening to what its people have to say and managers welcome your input. For example, I've recently been working with our IT Director to install a new payroll system and he was keen to hear my suggestions and recommendations on how it could be made to work more effectively.



Claire - Building Services Trainee

My dad worked in the building services industry so I guess it's in the blood. I've never seen myself as a sitting-behind-the-desk kind of person. I was originally working for a Housing Society as a Maintenance Administrator putting myself through college but I could see there was no real future for me there, so I looked around.

What appealed to me about the Aqua traineeship was that it offered me exposure to all aspects of the company. I'd already come across Aqua in my previous role and they'd always impressed me with their capability and control of projects so I was interested to pursue the job.

I've been here a year now and I've spent time in every department. I've been out with contracting engineering, a plumber on site, a sparky - you name it, I've done it! I haven't come across anyone in the company who isn't happy to help, but you have to be willing to throw yourself in and make the most of the trainee programme.

The programme itself is a real learning curve. As well as learning on the job, I get structured training - I'll be going to college once a week for two years to gain my Higher National Certificate in Building Services. Unlike in my last job, this time Aqua is paying for me to attend and being extremely generous with study leave. Even the Managing Director has shown a particular interest in how my course is going, so you do get the feeling that the whole company is behind you and wants you do well.

Dan - Building Services Trainee

My dad was a builder and I used to help him out but when I got back from travelling, I saw the opening at Aqua and decided to take the plunge. The chance to see all the different areas of the business really appealed to me. I saw it as a "ladder" - you're not just taking a new job but it's a real chance to work your way up in a business. One thing you've got to be prepared for is travelling. Live locally and while I enjoy going on site in London but it does mean some early starts some mornings.

I've found my 18 months here have been about constantly learning and picking up new skills. It is going to get tougher balancing working and study once the responsibility in our job is cranked up. It's good to have the other trainees going through the same thing as we all help each other. We've all got our weaker points in the coursework - mine is Maths - but together we get there.

I feel very privileged to see all the different parts of Aqua. I have knowledge that some people who've been with the company for years haven't got! I've particularly enjoyed my time in Contracts being on site with engineers. It looks pretty pressured managing sub-contractors, suppliers, builders etc but it looks like one of my favourite options to specialize in when I complete my rotation. Having said that, I'm still deciding and I have a few months to make my mind up. Whatever, I definitely see my long-term future here. They're pretty flexible about moving between departments so I reckon there'll always be something to keep me interested.