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Job Description

Job Title: Apprentice/ Graduate Trainee Project Planner

Reporting to: Planning Manager

Business Unit: Major Projects South

Location: Omexom Stafford Office

Project Planning Role

The role of a project planner within Omexoms Major Projects South Business Unit is to support a team of project management professionals by constructing plans (referred to as programmes) to achieve the building of electrical substations across the UK.

This is accomplished using specialist software that allows a time phased sequence of tasks to be developed that can be used to inform the project team of what needs to happen, and when it needs to happen, to complete a substation build on time.

During the project period, the plan is frequently revised according to latest information, and the planners responsibility is to tell the team the consequences and impacts of the change in sequenced tasks on the delivery timescales and important project dates.

Training Schedule

The trainee will under a schedule of hands-on training with support and mentoring from Senior Planners over a period of 4 years, at the end of which they will be independently producing tender programmes or supporting a small to medium sized project in delivery.

The training period shall cover:

• Training in the basics of P6 Primavera, the main programme building software tool for planning within HV Power Construction within the UK, and around the world.

• Training in the use of Microsoft Project, the typical planning software for sub-contractors.

• Creation and maintaining projects through: the tender, design, construction and close out phases.

• Be shown how to update and perform the necessary quality checks on a programme in order to provide the project team with realistic and accurate data.

• Learning how to demonstrate latest information in comparison to previous programmes and to show the difference and impacts of any changes.

• One of the benefits of having a programme is to show when key activities are planned. These activities can have a monetary value assigned so that a cash flow profile can be determined. The planner will be instructed how to add the costs to the programme and to ensure the correct costs are periodically reported to the project team.

• An understanding of how external influences can affect a project and correctly capture tasks in the programme, e.g. local councils approvals for access to land on the substation site or getting a certificate from the water board to connect water supplies to the substation site.

• Training in the use of a management practice called Earned Value Analysis to demonstrate project status.

Year by year goals:

1. Year one: training will start with inhouse training and one to one mentoring with senior planners, and where appropriate external training courses or day release for further education qualifications may be considered where appropriate. Introduction to NEC4 to gain understanding in the commercial element to project delivery.
2. Year two: as training progresses trainees will be supporting experienced planners on tenders and live projects and will partake in internal team meetings, and with contractors and customers.
3. Year three: trainees will provide support on a small project depending on project scope and value, the role will be supported by a senior planner, and will require some site visits and the opportunity to present data in internal and external meetings. Travel to other sites and attendance of project progress meetings with customers and suppliers will be required throughout England and/or Wales as required.
4. Year four: by this stage all of the various skillsets from years one to three, should be visible so as to demonstrate the ability and confidence for independent working on tenders or small projects in delivery.

Relationships with key stakeholders:

Initially:

• Planning Manager
• Senior Planner – Mentors

Later:

• Business Unit General Managers
• Project Managers
• Site representatives
• Subcontractors
• Client Representatives

Person Specification

The successful candidate should understand that communication will be a key part of their development for the role with all stakeholders. They will need to be enthusiastic, self-motivated, keen to learn and show initiative to succeed in this role.

Essential

• Minimum of A-levels up to Degree level education, or relevant experience in engineering/construction discipline, or any field where transferable skills can be demonstrated.

• A good level of numeracy and excellent analytical skills.

• An awareness of MS Office software such as Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and an appreciation that the preparation of reports and timely information is a key part of the role.

• Good interpersonal skills on the understanding that this is a team-based role and it involves a high level of interaction with others, including subcontractors and clients.

• Self-motivated working independently or in a team environment.

• Good attention to detail with good time management skills.

Desirable but not essential

• Awareness of NEC3/4 contracts, in particular the programme deliverables / requirements.

• Degree level in an engineering/construction discipline.

• Knowledge of National Grid Technical Publications.

• Awareness of Gantt chart software.

• Some industry experience.

The salary and benefits package for this role will be on a Personal Contract basis and will be in line with OMEXOM policy for Apprentice or Graduate trainees.

In line with Omexom’s values, the jobholder must have the following qualities:

Team Spirit & Generosity – able to work effectively within and contribute to the Omexom team to deliver results, provide support and drive performance.

Trust and Empowerment – enjoy managing their responsibilities and time to ensure work is completed efficiently and professionally.

Integrity and Responsibility – enjoy taking responsibility for their duties and managing these effectively to ensure efficient high-quality results.

Innovation & Entrepreneurship – continually strive to improve processes and introduce new initiatives to improve efficiency.