From theory to practice – AliMet Fabrications‘ new Project Manager James Harris once swapped academic endeavour for ‘hands on’ experience. It led to a new career path which has taken him from shop floor to management. James studied architecture at Birmingham University and was intending to move into town planning when he seized an opportunity to gain practical experience.
He comments: “The plan was to get some work experience and then go back into education to complete my degree but I found that I enjoyed the working environment, liked the people I met in the industry and the challenges that it presented. So, I decided to stay with it, learn from the ground up and see where it would take me.” He began work as a production operative with GEZE UK, before being promoted into project design and then service management. “I was able to apply a lot of the skills I learnt at university such as CAD design, drawings and 3d work and acquire new ones too.”
James has a City and Guilds qualification in electrical installation, is a certified powered pedestrian door technician and holds a CSCS surveyors’ card. e hails from Tamworth and worked for GEZE for eight years and briefly with Diack, as a project manager. His move to AliMet Fabrications allows him to use all his experience and contacts within the industry to support company growth and new services that AliMet is looking to introduce. Outside work, James, enjoys property development and is currently renovating a 17th Century half-timbered property.
“It’s been quite a challenge to bring back to its original state – a great little project but I’m looking forward to moving on, relocating nearer to the company’s head office, in Bridgnorth and perhaps taking on a new property redevelopment.” James is also a lover of the great outdoors, a keen cyclist and is soon to take up sailing. Steve Marshall, AliMet Managing Director, says: “We are very happy to welcome James to the team. He brings a lot of valuable experience and will offer AliMet customers great end-to-end service and support to meet all their requirements.” www.alimet.co.uk