Susan Johnstone

Age: 29
Occupation: Contract Administrator

Building is in the blood, according to Susan Johnstone, who made the decision at an early stage to join the family tradition of joining the building and construction industry.

Susan completed the Bachelor of Environmental Design degree at the University of Tasmania and then, after a year spent travelling around Australia, began a building trades course at TAFE to gain some practical experience in building, plastering, painting and other related areas.

While at TAFE Susan successfully applied to Vos Construction and Joinery Pty Ltd (then Laver Constructions) for a traineeship in estimation and contract administration.

"I was keen to join the industry and the traineeship was fantastic. I was put under the wing of the head estimator, the construction manager and a number of the on-site supervisors and learnt a great deal.

" With my environmental design background, the on-the-job training I received was really valuable in providing me with a detailed understanding of how the industry operated.

"It wasn't long before I was actually doing the contract administration for the company."

What does a contract administrator do?

"My job involves developing, implementing and managing the contracts associated with the major building projects Vos Construction undertakes.

"For each major contract I review the project design plans, break it down into its various contract components, draw up the contracts, bring in the subcontractors by trade and then follow through in terms of cost and quality control. This involves time in the office as well as time out on site.

"I love my work. I learn something new every day. And each day brings new challenges and opportunities.

" I particularly enjoy working as part of a diverse team to complete a complex project. There is something very satisfying about taking on a big job and seeing it through to completion."

Has your training stopped now that you are a building professional?

'Not at all. It never stops. Not too long ago, for example, I went back to TAFE and did Surveying I and II. I just thought that I could be more effective if I could polish my skills a bit more."