They say the construction industry is tough: it’s true, but that’s why I’m in it

Sam Dibaj is an ESD Project Manager who oversees ESD projects in the South of Scotland, including sites in Afton, Dalrymple, Ochiltree, Stewarton, Black Esk and Kerse. Sam was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) earlier this year.

I started out as a site engineer back in 2008, and it’s fair to say, I have seen a lot since then! I’ve worked on projects for Interserve and Galliford Try – from schools and police stations to power stations, universities and at the UK’s largest RAF airbase at Brize Norton. The water sector is a fairly new one for me, as I transferred over to ESD just two years ago,?

Since then, I have been very lucky to work on a good variety of projects; some growth projects like the Stewarton Wastewater Treatment Works, as well as facilities being built from scratch, such as the new Black Esk Water Treatment Works. What has surprised me so far is just how technically challenging water is compared to other sectors, and the huge amount of governance and reporting that comes with that.

As a newcomer, I think this is something that really needs to get easier, and that’s where I see switching to iPads, BIM 360 and 4D modelling as the way forward. We are not using all of these digital delivery tools on my sites, but I’ll be keen to adopt them as they are rolled out under our SR21 programme.

Outside of ESD, I have been heavily involved in the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) for several years. I started by attending networking events local to Leeds where I was based, and then, as I realised just how much there is on offer from the Institute, I became thoroughly embroiled!

Since going through the door as a young site engineer, I have achieved CIOB fellowship, chaired the Leeds Hub of the CIOB for three years and qualified as a Chartered Environmentalist. I have taken part in a variety of working groups and committees on a diversity of topics like Education and Standards, Member Engagement and the Mentoring Platform as well as my duties as a STEM ambassador.

Why do I do it? I have a real passion for this industry: it is tough, it is hard work, but it is not at all a bad world. Issues like poor diversity, stress, loneliness and long hours are still huge, that is true, but I meet so many people, through the Institute and my day job, who see that and are determined to change it!

Myths about construction persist

A fight that we have on our hands is to challenge the out-of-date ideas about construction that still persist. There is a tendency for any job with a manual element to be under-valued in our culture and lazy journalism keeps alive myths about people who work in construction. This image problem hits recruitment and diversity – and it hits people’s morale who work in the industry.

One stereotype is true: construction is tough (as is anything that is truly worth doing). We get the most frustrating, bogged-down situations and persist, innovate, find workarounds and get the projects over the line, come what may. And each time we build something straight out of the ground that will serve people for generations to come, we achieve something pretty amazing.

That’s exciting for anyone who wants to make their mark on this world, and that’s the story we need to get across.

If you are interested in getting involved in the CIOB, you can find out more about ways in by registering on their website and completing a Pathway Finder to start your journey to Membership.