Special skillset smooths the way for Gary’s transition to estimator6th Sep 2024

Gary Salisbury is savouring the opportunity to bring his skillset to multi-million-pound contract wins as an estimator for Jones Bros.

Having become one of the first seven people to graduate from the company’s higher apprenticeship in civil engineering, the 26-year-old’s career has followed an unconventional route.

Channelling his energy into becoming an estimator, Gary stepped away from being on site. It is a decision that he looks back on with nothing but pride, especially with his knowledge proving invaluable to his team.

He said: “Given the overlap in skillsets, quantity surveyors naturally move into the world of estimating. They have a certain way of working, which is highly successful.

“Having been out on site allows me to look at the drawings and the costings produced by the team from a different viewpoint and provide understanding of whether it is achievable.

“I believe that has really benefited the team and helped further reduce time working on concepts that perhaps wouldn’t have worked as expected.”

Gary, who is based at Ty Glyn in Ruthin, continued: “Jones Bros is a wonderful company to work for and the senior leaders are only too happy to help accommodate, where possible, a change in career path.

“My line manager, Lisa Tudor, and the four contracts directors have all worked closely with me, which has allowed me to bounce ideas off them and learn quickly.

“It’s a decision I am glad I made and I’m excited to see what the future holds.”

Whilst Gary might not be carrying out the on-site activity, he’s pleased to still be impacting projects across the UK.

He added: “We are working on multi-million-pound developments from highways to renewable energy, including battery storage, which is really picking up.

“The variation of work is fantastic, and it is brilliant to be involved in schemes that are shaping the country’s infrastructure as it pushes towards being net zero by 2050.”

Established in the 1950s, Jones Bros owns one of the largest plant fleets in the UK and employs approximately 500 people.

The company is currently working on contracts in various sectors including highways, flood and marine defence, waste management and renewable energy around the UK.

The company runs an award-winning apprenticeship scheme, which has produced nearly 40 per cent of its current workforce, with many of its senior managers having started out as apprentices or in a trainee role. It has recruited hundreds of apprentices over the years.