Sam Ashman
BIM manager, Tony Gee and Partners
Expertise
Project Management, DigitalLocation
United KingdomMy highlights
Visiting the Tony Gee and Partners office in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Taking part in a Bridges to Prosperity build in Rwanda
Working on the White Hart Lane Station Redevelopment
A day in my life
My day-to-day role as a BIM manager involves a variety of different things.
I’m grateful to work with many like-minded individuals who have helped to broaden my knowledge over the years.
I also appreciate working with our more junior members of staff to help upskill and mentor them in their careers and through the EngTech process.
Other aspects of my role include:
- assisting in the digital delivery of 3D models
- assisting in information management of the design from bid stage to project completion
- training project teams in various software packages/project standards to ensure we’re compliant to clients' needs
- producing BIM project documentation to ensure our projects are compliant to the applicable standards
- assisting in the preparation of technical and commercial bid proposals
For me, EngTech showcases that I have the capability and knowledge needed to carry out my job and allows me to demonstrate this to my peers.
Which individual project or person inspired you to become an engineering technician?
I always wanted to work within the industry from my early teens.
A discussion with a teacher at school is what prompted me to apply for the apprenticeship scheme and from there I was then introduced to Tony Gee.
Here I am now 11 years later.
We asked Sam…
I would recommend a career as an engineering technician because…
It opens many doors to the industry and there are many different career paths you can take.
What motivated you to become a professionally qualified Engineering Technician with the ICE?
My ICE membership development officer at the time, Malcolm Peake. Malcolm came to our college and gave a talk on EngTech and the ICE to my class.
Everything then progressed from here.
Complete this phrase: I’m an engineering technician, but I’m also …
A BIM manager.
What does EngTech MICE status mean for your career?
For me, EngTech showcases that I have the capability and knowledge needed to carry out my job and allows me to demonstrate this to my peers.
I hope to progress to CEng in the future should there be a suitable route for technicians.
Which civil engineering project (past or present) do you wish you’d worked on?
The Channel Tunnel.
Name one engineering technician myth you’d like to bust.
That what we do is just ‘drawing’.
The role an engineering technician plays on projects is much more crucial and more involved than people realise.
Responsibilities can vary massively between disciplines.
However, the fundamentals of the role are generally the same and can include anything from coordinating with clients about specific items on a given project, producing drawings and models, estimating costs, sequencing construction and much more.
What advice would you give someone considering becoming EngTech MICE / EngTech FICE?
Go for it – it shows you are a competent individual and opens many doors and opportunities in the industry. It’s also great for networking and meeting other like-minded people.
Anything else?
I’m a very outgoing person and a keen traveller. I have visited over 45 countries to date and aim to keep adding to this list.
Other hobbies of mine outside of travelling include fishing, yoga and learning Spanish, which I’m very passionate about.
Sam's career path
I first joined the industry back in 2012 as part of an apprenticeship programme which included studying on day release and working four days a week.
For the first two years, I studied a BTEC Level 3 in civil engineering and then for the following two years, I studied a Level 4 Higher National Certificate (HNC) qualification in civil engineering.
Upon completing my studies, I then applied for EngTech which I successfully obtained in 2016.
Major projects
- White Hart Lane Station Redevelopment: this involved the construction of a new station and underpasses at White Hart Lane while keeping the existing station live to allow access for passengers.
- Bath Corridor Stations Redevelopment: this involved developing a GRIP 3 design for electrification works through Chippenham, Bath Spa, Oldfield Park and Keynsham stations.
- HS2 BBV (N1/N2) TW Framework: this is a multi-year temporary works framework that consists of temporary works-related schemes for HS2.
