With almost two decades worth of experience under his belt, Barry Gilchrist has seen the face of Project Management evolve in the Northwest engineering sector. He sat down to explain carbon capture, the nuclear industry, and what increasingly qualified candidates can look forward to…

What do I love the most about recruitment? Definitely its competitive nature. At DATS, we’re typically contending with four or five other firms to secure a role. So when we succeed, it’s a great feeling! But I also appreciate the technical side of the positions we scout for. Managing various disciplines and abilities always fascinates me; we give clients a solution they can truly count on.

That’s why I’ve been with DATS for nine years, and in engineering recruitment more broadly for 19. Every industry needs a Project Manager; I pick the background to suit the discipline from a range of candidates, which leads me to all sorts of people. The key is never widening the focus too much… I search for experts in a particular field and won’t stop until I’ve met a specialist grade for the project at hand.

Industry credentials are becoming more important

The most immediate thing I can tell you is the impact of verified experience in the field. Project Management qualifications are more necessary than ever, because there’s added regulation on oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear – any of the main forms of engineering I deal with.

Project Management qualifications are more necessary than ever, because there’s added regulation on oil and gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, nuclear – any of the main forms of engineering I deal with.

As a result, full construction projects desire New Engineering Contract (NEC) training, which you can earn on the job or independent of a parent company. It helps candidates work to certain parameters and teaches them best practices and Project Management principles. There are several routes to being certified, but on the whole, it’s gaining prevalence. We can also add connections to the Association of Project Managers into the mix, particularly for the nuclear industry.

Five years ago, clients wouldn’t have been as strict on their staff holding these badges of honour. Yet today, they are very wary of anyone who doesn’t – again, it’s a question of complying with regulatory measures. Candidates know the state of play. They can become qualified faster on larger projects, so that’s where they train as a priority. We regularly find candidates progressive roles at a company in which they use their NEC training to the fullest.