Site Manager Rob Verdouw talks to The Tradie about timber, Tasmania and a life on the tools.
TRADIE: Can you give us some background on your experience in the industry?
Rob: I’m a senior site manager, I’ve been in the industry for 45 plus years starting off as an apprentice carpenter and then working through different facets of the building industry from running joinery workshops, to commercial and residential building. Basically, across the board, each role and each job has been unique, in each job you’re learning new things and appreciating the industry more and more. The industry is always evolving and you’re constantly learning, new products and new challenges.
TRD: What are some of the challenges you face in your role?
Rob: We’ve had the supply of labour and material issue for the last couple of years.
There’s always challenges but we work through it. Certainty is one, if someone says they’re coming to a job they need to come. At the end of the day, we just want a happy customer and a good quality job done right.
TRD: How did you get started?
Rob: It’s been in my blood, my uncles and my Dad had their own business in Tasmania and so I was motivated to work with them and for them growing up. So that got me into the industry initially as an apprentice and I have never really looked back since.
TRD: What do you enjoy about the job?
Rob: Being able to watch something evolve either from a blank shell to an amazing fit out. And seeing people enjoy the finished products that we work on. I’ve been involved in schools, so seeing those happy faces afterwards, people occupying the spaces you’ve built and enjoying them. I enjoy working hand-in-hand with designers and engineers as well, they’re an important facet of any building project really. But with their inspiration we do the perspiration.
TRD: What advice would you give to younger people who want to join the industry?
Rob: Respect your products and the environments they’re built for. I have
a lot of experience in Tasmania, being from there, and there’s lots of salt water to deal with in Tasmania.
I’ve come to appreciate what salt water can do to buildings, I’ve seen some pretty drastic issues resulting from exposure to salt air and water that wasn’t considered in the materials that were used for example. If something doesn’t look or feel right then do speak up, and most people should respect that. Finally, I would say gain knowledge about your industry, attend seminars and exhibitions and just learn as much as you can.
TRD: How do you keep morale high at work?
Rob: Knowing everyone’s names is a big one, I write down the names of everyone who is on site. Everyone likes to receive respect about who they are and where they come from as well as their ability to do their job. So those are the main things, names and mutual respect.
TRD: What do you find the best ways to find safety on site are?
Rob: We run toolbox meetings regularly to remind everyone of the safety issues on site, as well as having the correct equipment on site is very important.
TRD: How do you manage work life balance?
Rob: Well I have a big family firstly, which is beautiful. But also getting outdoors helps a lot, hiking and camping, appreciating nature. As well as sports and community work, giving back to the local community. But family is number one, definitely.
TRD: How do you find the most success when working with clients?
Rob: Always respecting the client and building that relationship. At the end of the day, whether it’s a one month or a several year-long project you all have to work as a team. You have to be open with and accountable to each other.