insights A day in the life of Tarik Saif
Secondments are an effective means to develop the careers of young professionals and provide added value to important client relationships. For Tarik Saif (Graduate Project Manager, Warrington), it involves working on Europe’s largest infrastructure project - High Speed 2 (HS2).
06 March 2018
I joined our Project Management team in Energy in September 2017 (having just finished a PhD in Petroleum Engineering) and within a few weeks, a secondment opportunity appeared at HS2 Rail. Given that many project management skills are transferable, and with HS2 being one of the UK’s mega projects, it seemed a great chance to enhance my core project management skills. Working on such a complex project is a great way to gain experience and exposure to other ways of working.
Since October 2017, I’ve been working on the new High Speed 2 rail project. At HS2, I am in the role of assistant project manager in the Utilities Phase One Delivery Team in the Birmingham office. Myself and other colleagues are supporting HS2 (Phase 1) as part of the Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) contract. We work alongside HS2 in their offices based in Birmingham and London, as well as on sites along the route, providing expert engineering, programme management and construction management support.
What’s the project?
HS2 is fundamentally about connectivity: the new high-speed rail network will connect London, Birmingham, the East Midlands, Leeds and Manchester. Designed as a passenger-only service, trains will run between London and Birmingham from 2026 (Phase 1). The service will extend to Crewe by 2027 (Phase 2a) and then link to Manchester and the East Midlands and Leeds from 2033 (Phase 2b). When the full service is up and running, a HS2 train will leave London Euston every three and a half minutes. HS2 trains will also integrate into the existing network, serving towns and cities such as Liverpool, York, Newcastle, Sheffield, Preston, Wigan and Carlisle, Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Key facts about HS2:
- HS2 will serve over 25 stations and half the UK population.
- The railway is being designed for trains to travel at 250 mph (400 km/h) but the service will initially operate at 360 km/h. Journey times will be massively reduced and the north and south will be far better connected, and crucially the new high speed route will free up capacity on both the West Coast and East Coast main lines.
- Total development sparked by HS2 could support up to 100,000 new jobs.
- From opening of Phase 1 (2026): Birmingham Interchange to London Euston reduces from 73 mins to 38 mins and London Euston to Birmingham Curzon Street takes 49 mins, down from 81 mins.
- From opening of Phase 2 (2033): Birmingham to Leeds reduces from 143 mins to 57 mins and Birmingham to Manchester reduces from 110 mins to 41 mins.
- There will be up to 1,100 seats per train, carrying over 300,000 passengers every day (trains will be 400 metres long – much longer than those currently in use on the network).
What's my role?
In developing this new rail scheme, HS2 has had to account for the extent of the utility equipment affected. In my role, I am working to support the co-ordination of asset protection and diversion works between various utility companies, contractors and other stakeholders to ensure their works and programmes can run smoothly and simultaneously. This is focused on utility mains and services such as water, sewerage, electricity, gas, telephone and other services with an emphasis on minimizing disruption to utility operators and their customers as much as possible. Already, I have had great opportunities to assist in the development of detailed project plans, coordinate programme changes, work on identifying and managing key project risks, and supporting contract management plans and budget control. Also, I have been able to help manage specific interfaces and relationships with cross directorate and supply chain stakeholders and initiated various workshops to regularly capture lessons learned.
So, what have your learned on this project?
Each day I’ve been building up knowledge of programme and project management techniques. The scale and complexity of HS2 means there are many challenges with exceptional scrutiny as it must serve everyone in the UK by delivering on requirements set by Government and using taxpayers’ money wisely. Also, given that HS2 is a project that will affect many communities, it has become clear that engaging with communities over the life of the project is crucial. I now appreciate that structuring and delivering large projects can be extremely complex. There are many different stakeholders entering the project life cycle at different stages with different roles, responsibilities, risk-management capabilities and risk-bearing capacities and often conflicting interests, and it is important that these are anticipated and managed from the outset. For me this continues to be a brilliant secondment and a fantastic experience to be supporting our client on this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will expand our choice of where to live, work and visit by connecting our cities with ease and speed.
Interested? Find out more about life at AtkinsRéalis
Sign up to receive the latest content tailored to your interests
Our articles
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
11/05/2024
Summary
If you’ve been weighing up where to take your graduate scheme or the best places to start an apprenticeship, have you considered living in Bristol? As a proudly multicultural university city, the
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/28/2024
Summary
Hi, I'm Chris, a degree apprentice on the Nuclear & Power team at AtkinsRéalis. My passions are in sustainability and mechanical engineering. I'm currently working on some of the most impactful p
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/24/2024
Summary
As the globe becomes more eco-conscious, many people are looking for careers in sustainability-focused companies. In Spring 2024, 80% of people surveyed by the UK government said they were very or fa
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/24/2024
Summary
Hi, I'm Jasmine, a Graduate Project Manager in the Project & Programme Services team at AtkinsRéalis. I graduated from Loughborough University in 2023 with an Integrated Masters in Product Design
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/23/2024
Summary
It can be stressful to know when to start planning and prepping for your graduate scheme application. There’s a lot of uncertainty when it comes to online research surrounding the question “When s
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/23/2024
Summary
It’s only natural when you’re either in school or university to be thinking ahead about what your future career has in store for you. After all, your educational choices can help shape what’s immedi
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/18/2024
Summary
Hello! I'm Oscar, an AtkinsRéalis apprentice heading into my third year on the Apprentice Consultant Development Programme (ACDP). I help our clients manage projects, programmes, and portfolios,
Preview
GeneralContent type
ProjectsPublish date
10/17/2024
Summary
Hello! My name is Matilda Davis, and I'm based in the AtkinsRéalis Bristol office. I joined AtkinsRéalis last September, straight after my A-Level studies, and I'm now in my first year of the Pro
Preview
EuropeContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/14/2024
Summary
Welcome back to our Digital Her blog series! As Digital Her sponsors, we're committed to empowering young women like you to pursue careers in digital and tech. We aim to break down barriers an
Preview
GeneralContent type
BlogsPublish date
10/14/2024
Summary
When you think of the construction industry, what word springs to mind? Innovation? Resilient perhaps? Despite facing economic challenges, the market perseveres, offering a promising landscape for as
Related jobs
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Surveying Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Graduate
Location
Cambridge
Oxford
Birmingham
Leeds
Manchester
Southampton
Tunbridge Wells
London
Epsom
Bristol
Belfast
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Description
As a Quantity Surveying graduate, you'll enjoy variety, working on large and small projects and experiencing different aspects including consulting, design or overseeing construction.
Reference
GR-218
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location.
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Project Controls, Risk and Planning Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Graduate
Location
Bristol
Description
Our team of project controls experts work on some of the most prestigious and technically exciting Infrastructure projects in the UK, influencing the way we live and shape the Built Environment.
Reference
GR-204
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Management Consultancy Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Graduate
Location
London
Bristol
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Description
Are you ready to be part of a world-leading, inspiring and ambitious team? As a Management Consultancy Graduate you can get insight into a wide variety and explore where your skills and interests lie.
Reference
GR-200
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Information Management Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Clean power
Project, programme & cost management
Nuclear
Category
Graduate
Location
Whitehaven
Manchester
London
Description
Join us as a Graduate Information Manager and enjoy exposure to a wide variety of industries, clients and projects.
Reference
GR-198
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Human Factors Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Clean power
Nuclear
Category
Graduate
Location
Derby
Manchester
London
Bristol
Glasgow
Description
Our Human Factors graduate programme has been designed to give you an insight into a wide variety of areas of work and the chance to explore where your own skills and interests lie.
Reference
GR-197
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location.
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Health and Safety Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Category
Graduate
Location
Birmingham
Bristol
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Description
As a Health and Safety graduate, you'll enjoy variety, working on large and small projects with the opportunity to explore different career pathways including consulting and design.
Reference
GR-196
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Ground Engineering and Tunnelling Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Cities & development
Environment & geoscience
Water
Category
Graduate
Location
Birmingham
Leeds
Manchester
Croydon
London
Epsom
Bristol
Belfast
Glasgow
Cardiff
Description
As a Ground Engineering and Tunnelling Graduate, you could play a part in designing and constructing new and innovative infrastructure (such as mass transit systems, tunnelling and power supply)
Reference
GR-195
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Environmental Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Cities & development
Clean power
Environment & geoscience
Water
Nuclear
Category
Graduate
Location
Peterborough
Birmingham
Warrington
Derby
Manchester
London
Epsom
Bristol
Exeter
Belfast
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Cardiff
Swansea
Description
Discover your passion with our Environment Graduate Program! Gain hands-on experience across diverse areas, uncover your strengths, and explore exciting opportunities in a dynamic field.
Reference
GR-193
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Building Surveying Graduate Scheme
Market
Cities & development
Environment & geoscience
Project, programme & cost management
Water
Category
Graduate
Location
Cambridge
Birmingham
Nottingham
Manchester
Tunbridge Wells
London
Epsom
Bristol
Exeter
Cardiff
Swansea
Description
As a Building Surveying graduate, you'll enjoy variety, working on large and small projects with the opportunity to explore different career pathways including consulting and design.
Reference
GR-216
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Salary
£30,500 - £33,500 depending on role and location
Location
Nationwide
Job Type
Full Time
Brand
Atkins
Career Area
Asset Management Graduate Scheme 2024
Market
Project, programme & cost management
Transportation
Category
Graduate
Location
Cambridge
Birmingham
Manchester
London
Description
Our Asset Management graduate programme has been designed to give you an insight into a wide variety of areas of work and the chance to explore where your own skills and interests lie.
Reference
GR-186
Expiry Date
01/01/0001
Talent community
Would you like to know more? Not ready to apply? Join our talent community to stay connected and engaged with us at AtkinsRéalis.
Find out more