Dave Black, General Builder

Dave left school at the age of 16 to work in his family's building firm. He joined Beard in 1990.

What made you join Beard?

I was made redundant when my family's business went into liquidation. I wanted to stay in the same line of work, so I looked around for a secure and reputable firm. Beard had all the qualities I was looking for.

What skills and knowledge do you need to do your job?

My job is very varied. I work on large and small contacts and do anything from brickwork to groundwork. I need extensive knowledge of the building trade to complete the tasks I have to do. We do a lot of insurance work in people's homes so I have to be a ‘people person’. I also have to keep to the guidelines for each job, so that we maintain quality and complete the work to the required specification.

Has Beard supported you in building your skills and knowledge?

Beard has given me great opportunities to broaden my knowledge and skills. I’ve attended various courses covering all aspects of the building trade, including safety awareness.

What are the most enjoyable parts of your job?

I love the variety of the work and using a range of skills to do my job. Each day is different, so I never get bored.

What are your biggest achievements?

I am constantly using the experience I have gained at Beard to overcome day-to-day problems and achieve better and better standards.

If you could change one thing about the construction industry, what would it be?