MHB and Story Contracting Engineers Swap Roles for Hands-On Experience
A collaborative secondment programme between MHB Consultants and Story Contracting has provided graduate engineers with a unique opportunity to experience the full project lifecycle - from design to construction.
As part of the initiative, MHB Graduate Engineer Gabriele Valente transitioned from a design-based role to a site-based secondment with Story Contracting, while Story Graduate Engineer Frankie Adams moved into MHB’s Temporary Works Department to gain experience in the design process.
This exchange, which ran from October to December 2024, allowed both engineers to develop a broader understanding of how designs are implemented on-site and how temporary works are designed before reaching the field.
Understanding Construction from the Ground Up
Spending three months working on the OB044 Thornliebank Bridge Replacement, Gabriele gained first-hand experience with on-site processes, including quality assurance, safety protocols, and last-minute design adaptations.
“Coming from an office environment, it was an honour and an important educational experience to spend three months working on-site at OB044 in Thornliebank with Story Contracting. I had the opportunity to understand and explore tasks that are sometimes overlooked in the design process. It was interesting to see and take part in quality assurance and testing, which I was not fully aware of before.”
“Now that I am back in the office with MHB Consultants, I have started to acknowledge and emphasise with contractors when last-minute unexpected designs pop up! I would recommend a site placement to anyone who wants to explore and see how things work from the other end of the construction process.”
– Gabriele Valente, MHB Consultants
Scott Grattan, Project Manager at Story Contracting, reflected on Gabriele’s contribution:
“Gabriele recently undertook a site-based secondment on our OB044 - Thornliebank Road project as part of the wider East Kilbride Enhancement Scheme. He integrated well with the wider project team and took an active role in the quality procedures on-site, as well as getting to experience some key milestones in the project, including the installation of the new precast structure.”
From Site to Design: Frankie’s Experience at MHB
For Frankie Adams, moving from a site-based role at Story Contracting to a design-focused role at MHB allowed him to understand the engineering decisions that shape construction projects before they reach site teams.
"Following the successful completion of my Graduate Engineer Programme with Story Contracting, I was fortunate to undertake a three-month external secondment with MHB Consultants, working in the Temporary Works Department. Having previously been involved in implementing various temporary works schemes at Story, I was eager to learn about the design processes behind these works before they arrive on-site as ‘Approved for Construction’ drawings. My goal was to gain technical experience that would contribute to my ICE chartership progression and help me implement temporary works designs on-site with a deeper understanding."
"During my secondment, I collaborated with local authorities and industry-leading contractors, gaining exposure to a diverse range of projects. Over the three months, I contributed to the design of schemes including crane outrigger foundations, platform loading checks, an anchor system supporting a skid rig on an embankment, precast concrete unit lifting checks, site hoarding systems, and haul roads. Additionally, I supported the design of culvert replacements on the West Coast Main Line. I was also fortunate to attend CPD events fortnightly, where I learned about innovative solutions with low-carbon alternatives that could be applied within a rail environment."
"I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Gillian Pettigrew and the entire team at MHB for welcoming me and providing this invaluable learning experience."
- Frankie Adams, Story Contracting
The Value of Cross-Discipline Experience
MHB Consultants has a long-standing partnership with Story Contracting, its largest client, working on major rail and infrastructure projects across the UK. These secondments enhance collaboration between designers and contractors, ensuring engineers develop the skills needed to produce cost-effective, buildable solutions.
“We have been working with Story for a number of years now, providing the opportunity for our designers to spend three months on-site and for site engineers to work in the design house. Having them work alongside our designers helps give them an appreciation for the design decisions we make and how collaborative working can be successful.”
– Gillian Pettigrew, Discipline Director, MHB Consultants
She also praised Frankie’s impact during his time at MHB:
“Frankie has been an asset to the team for the short time he was here. He has an eye for detail and provided feedback on the implementation of designs, which has been invaluable. Thanks, Frankie!”
Investing in the Next Generation of Engineers
As an employee-owned company, MHB is committed to developing well-rounded engineers with both technical expertise and practical site knowledge. The secondment programme reflects the company’s investment in talent development and industry collaboration.
“This secondment is a fantastic example of how we invest in engineers to help them gain real-world insights into project delivery. By working alongside contractors, our graduates build a deeper understanding of construction challenges, making them better equipped to deliver high-quality engineering solutions.”
– Fergus Aitchison, Managing Director at MHB Consultants
Following the success of this programme, MHB and Story Contracting are continuing to explore further opportunities for cross-discipline learning, ensuring that the next generation of engineers is equipped to deliver infrastructure projects efficiently and safely.
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