Fredrick
Temporary Works Coordinator
We were delighted when Fredrick joined our team in November 2021. We asked him to share his thoughts on being part of the Align team and what inspired him to begin a career in Civil Engineering.
What inspired you to start a career in Civil Engineering?
My inspiration for becoming an engineer started at a very young age when growing up in the previous war-torn Uganda rural area and subsequently Rwanda. I was inspired by the work that was done by NGOs to improve conditions and access after the civil wars. Trying to build roads, boreholes, repair utility supplies etc but at that age, I wasn’t sure what I had to study to become one. At that age what I wanted was to have a career that allowed me to wear an orange vest with an orange helmet and boots as seen being worn by those men and women whom I passed each day while walking to my school!
As time passed, I started to understand I had to focus on studying science subjects and mathematics. In 2001 I was given the opportunity to visit all top ten universities and participate in the summer engineering challenges. The summer engineering challenges at both Imperial College and Oxford University made me realise that becoming an engineer empowers you to make a difference in society. As an Engineer, you have the power to influence changes, you become a well-rounded individual who can fit in all settings. You are empowered always to think outside the box to solve complex problems. Problems that can improve other people’s lives, through designing structures, build buildings or indeed mega infrastructure.
What has been a highlight at ALIGN?
My highlight at Align is how this team has worked so effectively and collaboratively to deliver such a complex piece of work. Going back to early 2019, and looking at the proposed area for C1, it looked a challenge to achieve what was then shown on drawings to what is becoming a reality. Now I can walk over a kilometre on the viaduct, drive kilometres into the tunnels or descend metres into shafts is remarkable.
Noting that JVs aren’t always the best settings to work in, however, this has been a joyful experience so far and hopefully, it stays like that up to the end.
What does a day in the life look like?
A day in the life for me is to stay focussed to successfully see through this project, in particular since some areas of the project are or will soon be entering a decommissioning phase. Removal of complex temporary works will bring different challenges that will need to be properly managed. Continue to work as one team to deliver the project and hopefully more to come.