SPIE INTERVIEW EN

1. Project Manager Jon Burgess, 29,
studied for a university degree part-time while working for SPIE UK.
Find more about our job offers on www.spie-job.com/en
INTERVIEWS
WITHOURSO SPIEPEOPLE
“I began as a trainee
and now
I’m a Project Manager”
How long have you been at SPIE?
Jon Burgess: For 11 years. I joined SPIE in London at 18 with a diploma in electrical and
electronic engineering, and signed up straight away for a traineeship with SPIE. This allowed
me to study part-time at South Bank University for one day a week, while working four days
of the week. After four-and-a-half years I had an honours degree in Building Services
Engineering. I then started moving up the echelons at SPIE, rising from Assistant Project
Engineer to senior Project Engineer. I had to choose between the design path and project
management. I chose the latter, and have now been a Project Manager for a couple of years.
What are your responsibilities?
J.B.: I’m in charge of all aspects of the project, from pre-construction to cost control,
procurement, scheduling and construction, right through to commissioning and handover.
Sometimes I handle several small projects at a time, and sometimes it’s one big project. I
manage a vast variety of types and sizes of projects and am either the lead Project Manager
or part of a team of Project Managers.
Do you play any other role?
J.B.: I’m part of a working group that runs the Project Management Academy, which offers
Engineers and Project Managers training and development. We identify areas in which they
have had less exposure – the commercial side for instance – and give them training to fill the
gaps.