Jared Glue, RCP Project Manager. Photo by Tom de Silva.
What’s your role?
I’m the RCP Project Manager for the New Dunedin Hospital’s Outpatient Building.
What’s RCP?
RCP is a project management company that covers projects right across the spectrum from small infrastructure projects to some of the biggest projects in New Zealand – like the New Dunedin Hospital.
How did you get into this line of work?
I initially wanted to be a property valuer, so when I left school I went to Lincoln University and did a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Valuation and Property Management. Toward the end of my study I decided I wanted to do something different. I realised I was really drawn to construction.
How did you make the change to construction?
I got a job in the industry as part of the Christchurch earthquake rebuild. I was an assistant project manager, working for a company doing earthquake repairs to houses. While I was in that job, I also did a Master of Construction through Massey University. Then I got a Site Manager role at Hawkins Construction, making the move from residential to commercial. Later I worked for CPB Contractors on Christchurch Hospital’s Waipapa building. After my experience working on Waipapa I was keen to take on the task of the New Dunedin Hospital.
What do you like about commercial projects?
I’m a real big projects person, so I enjoy the scale and complexity of large, commercial projects. I particularly like health projects because they’re the most complex projects you can deliver. The infrastructure to support the requirements of a hospital is very involved – operating theatres are incredibly complex spaces.
What would you say to someone wanting to get into the industry?
Be ready for opportunities and leverage them as much as you can. I was told at the start of my career that I needed to have a trade background and I’ve probably come through a slightly unconventional pathway. But I’ve been able to leverage opportunities and turn them into a great career.
What do you like about this project?
The team. At RCP, and in the wider project team, everyone’s got great skills and we’ve been able to foster a really positive working environment. It’s also exciting to think of the fantastic healthcare facility that we’re going to leave for the residents of Otago and Southland.
