NOVO Construction Launches Field Engineer Program
The traditional path of a general contractor has always been, first go to construction management school, next grab an internship at a general contractor then hit the workforce. With most internship opportunities favoring the office rather than the field. Emerging students are forced to embark on their path to become a project manager. At many recent college recruiting fairs, NOVO has seen an increased interest in students wanting to become superintendents.
While the superintendent pool is highly skilled currently, a number of superintendents are on the back half of their career and the construction industry is running the risk of a shortage in experienced superintendents in the next decade or so. Without awareness of career options and access to learning the field side of construction, general contractors may have a shortage of experienced superintendents. A training program to facilitate students wanting to learn the skills necessary to become a superintendent is required.
Julio Hernandez, superintendent at NOVO, grew up in a family of cement masons and carpenters. Early on in his life, he worked with his family and his first apprenticeship was with his father.
Julio Hernandez - Superintendent
“Growing up in a family of builders, you just naturally learn what’s around you. Learning from my father an uncle was what pulled me toward wanting to become a contractor.”
Julio wasn’t able to get into the carpenters union, so he started his journey through a construction management degree. After he graduated from CSU Chico in 2013 he joined another general contractor as a Project Engineer.
“Learning the office side was great, but I wanted to get my hands dirty and bridge the divide between field and office. I always felt drawn to the field and my company wasn’t offering a path to become a superintendent. When NOVO offered me a job as a superintendent, I knew it would be more of a fit for my career goals.”
With the help of Julio and others, NOVO has developed a Field Engineer program that addresses the concerns Julio had earlier in his career. The program will allow entry from new grads that want to begin their career path into becoming a superintendent.
Within the program, participants will learn how to perform jobsite setup, site logistics, subcontractor safety/onboarding and all the technical skills that are required for organized logistics of a jobsite. The goal of the program is to mesh the skills that construction management students learn in school (scheduling/technology) and the trade specific knowledge that comes with years of being around construction.
Anthony Maude, Field Engineer at NOVO, is one of the first employees to enter into the program. Anthony joined NOVO almost a year ago and has been able to go from being a project engineer at another general contractor to working in the field at Verkada in San Mateo.
“I value the hands on aspect of working in the field as well as learning more about jobsite administration and supervision. Being able to work through a job conceptually and then see it actually built has been incredible to experience.”
As a Civil Engineer student at San Francisco State, Anthony was looking for a role to help connect his technical knowledge to something physical.
“The Field Engineer program has allowed me to be on different jobs through my year at NOVO to see key aspects of the building process that have helped me advance my knowledge quickly.”
Anthony Maude - Field Engineer
At NOVO it has always been our priority to be nimble with the changing requirements of our industry and the development of the Field Engineer program is an example of that. Within NOVO pairing young construction professionals with seasoned superintendents to form a mentorship program is what will make this program successful.