Vaughan Constructions’ Career Development Program allows ambitious students and graduates to begin building a rewarding career within our team.
The program provides Cadets with a detailed career pathway and on-the-job learning and development opportunities in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Vaughan Constructions has a strong partnership with Loreto Mandeville Hall Toorak and we have two past students join our team in Cadet roles as part of our Career Development Program.
Sienna Dalbosco is a Cadet in the Design team where she works part-time while she completes a Bachelor of Design majoring in Construction at the University of Melbourne.
Kate Byrne joins Vaughan as a Cadet in the Estimating team while she completes a Bachelor of Engineering majoring in Electrical at Monash University.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the construction industry?
S: Since I can remember I have always been interested in how ‘things’ were built and the different parts that made them up. My first dream job was to be an Architect, and I had always dreamt of being able to design my own home. When I started my Bachelor of Design, I was completing a double major in Architecture and Construction but ultimately found Construction was the side I enjoyed more.
K: The construction industry is such a huge industry, with so many different career opportunities. As a young person who didn’t really know what I wanted to do with my life, I thought construction would be a great place to kickstart my career. I hope a career in the construction industry will allow me to explore the many different facets of this broad industry.
What attracted you to the Vaughan cadet program?
S: Having come from Loreto Toorak, I was already aware of what a great company Vaughan is. After looking into the role of a Design Manager, I found that I enjoyed many aspects of the role and knew that Vaughan would be a great starting point for my development.
K: Vaughan Constructions has an excellent reputation in the construction industry and the cadet program is perfect for students like me. It allows me to gain experience and exposure to the industry whilst I manage my studies effectively. I work part-time and my role is very flexible, so I can easily balance my work, studies and lifestyle.
What do you like best about your role?
S: I like that I can see the progression of a project from a simple set of drawings to a more advanced and detailed version. I am a very visual learner, so being able to follow the evolution of a project through drawings and 3D models has been something that I have enjoyed.
K: I love that the estimating team is so fast-paced, which means I get to work on lots of different projects. Every couple of weeks there is a new project coming in. I also like that I get to work with so many different people; I have plenty of opportunities to learn new things.
What is something you have learned while working at Vaughan?
S: I have learnt so much in such a small amount of time, so it is hard to name just one. The main thing would be learning about the whole design process for a project, from when it is brand new through to passing it on to the Construction Team. Although I knew this process had many different parts, it has been the main thing I have been trying to wrap my head around. Each project I have assisted with has been different, and I continue to learn each day.
K: My communication and teamwork skills have improved dramatically during my time at Vaughan. I spend lots of my day working with people both inside and outside of the company and I’ve gained so much more confidence in myself and the skills that I offer. I’ve also noticed my technical knowledge of construction increase, especially as I entered this job with very little experience. I’ll be able to carry these skills with me throughout my whole career.
What projects are you currently working on?
S: I am currently mainly working on a Charter Hall project whilst also assisting the whole design team where I can with current and new upcoming projects.
K: Currently I am lucky enough to be working with both the estimating and the construction team, so I get to work on job tenders and active jobs. In estimating, we are working on a few different tenders in VIC, NSW and QLD, where I usually help to collect prices from subcontractors. In the construction team, we are working on a warehouse facility in Dandenong. I am learning how to manage some minor components of construction, such as the bollards and toilet partitions.
What do you most enjoy about working as part of the Vaughan team?
S: I have enjoyed the culture here at Vaughan. Everyone in the office has been so kind, welcoming and supportive. The transition from being a uni student to studying and working three days a week was quite a change however being in this environment has made it much easier!
K: I love the atmosphere at the Vaughan office. Everyone is friendly and welcoming and always willing to help me learn something new. You can tell that everyone really enjoys working at Vaughan Constructions. Being part of the Vaughan team makes me very excited to continue to build my career and see where it takes me.