Discover the working career of Paul Kirui – Civil Works Supervisor, Kenya
What industry do you work in and what exactly are your skills?
I currently work in Telecommunication industry as a Civil works supervisor.My main role is to supervise construction of telecommunication marts and i’m in charge of site surveys,Concrete inspection,rebars,tower erection&inspection,telecommunication installations and Fiber optics deployment(OSP).
What inspired you to get into this sort of industry?
Been attracted to technology advances and used to always admire towers. When I met a friend working in the same industry,he inspired me to apply my skills in telecommunications since it combines so many areas – from concrete and towers to power and equipment installations.
What qualifications and experience did you have to gain in order to establish yourself and therefore become a professional within your industry?
I have a diploma in Civil engineering and been doing site supervision for concrete structures as well as managing site resources from employees to material inspections.
The experience I needed was being able to work in remote places which was a new challenge but I took it positively since I love to travel travelling.
What is the most challenging aspect within your field of work?
The biggest challenge is existing infrastructure on roads which every area we visit poses new challenges but its a positive one since we are able to tackle each assignment to a successful delivery mainly through vast assignments.
How do you manage and overcome these challenges?
Experience has been the key, it helps in handling them. Secondly having the right team players from subcontractor to tradesmen makes each of us from the team work together.
What has been the highlight of your career?
Being in charge of five gsm projects –(tower constructions)in remote locations where I was managing subcontractors as well as supervising all ground works and handing over to the client successfully from civil works,electrical works,mechanical works and telecom installations. The sites were 600km away from Capital city of Nairobi and navigated more than 50,000km self drive and supervising them.
What could somebody expect to earn within your field at starting level or at trainee level?
Mostly it depends on organization since we have international firms operating locally and local contractors.On average here in Kenya, a trainee will make approximate net of 400USD to 600USD excluding field allowances and medical cover.
What could somebody expect to earn after working within your field after 10 years?
For a ten year experience,one can make on average USD 2500- USD 4000 depending on organization excluding field allowances as well as medical covers and any other privileges like a company car.
Who is your role model and why?
My dad because he has supported me to where I am today,despite the challenges he has undergone in his career, life and his investment ideas from farming to real estate development.
What motivates you to work this hard?
Time is money and the utility of this time will always gives us the best in terms of cost saving which is directly proportional to profit margins to the company . Secondly to deliver a project in time gives a positive outlook as well as a plus on project management.
What is your outlook within your industry over the next 5 years?
The industry will shift more to solution based services to gsm industry.For instance green power .Also fiber optics will be the industry since data will be the main core where the firms will be targeting the puplic hence civil works to deploy the network will still be critical especially on the upcoming 4G networks.
As you know, numerous African countries are being invested in due to their rich minerals. Which country within Africa do you think will be the next hot spot and why?
First choice – Bostwana and due to its vast resources and attractive policies to foreign investors who are willing to invest in that country.
Second choice – Kenya because the country has had significant oil exploration which so far has reflected a positive outlook. This will open up more industries to support the sector. In addition, in Kenya is playing a key role in information.
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