Meet the contractor: Hanson

Susie Wiese, Senior Project Administrator at Hanson, tells Young HPC about Hanson’s involvement with the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project.

Q. Tell us a bit about Hanson…

A. Hanson UK is a leading supplier of heavy building materials to the construction industry. We produce aggregates – crushed rock, sand and gravel – as well as ready-mixed concrete, asphalt, cement and ground-granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS). We also have a marine division, which dredges sand and gravel.

Q. How are you involved with HPC?

A. We’ve worked with HPC since the beginning of the construction phase. We produce aggregates, cement and GGBS and deliver them to the concrete plants on site. These are owned by Bylor, KierBam and Balfour Beatty, but we manage the sites on their behalf. We also deliver asphalt to HPC too.

To give you an idea of the scale of our involvement, we’ve produced more than 175,000m3 of concrete and delivered 625,000 tonnes of aggregate so far in 2019. In fact, we’ve delivered more than 2.5 million tonnes of aggregate since the project began! We were heavily involved in the final concrete pour in July – the largest ever in England, overtaking the record set by the Shard – when our staff oversaw the continuous pouring of 9,000m3 of concrete in 90 hours.

And finally, we manage the jetty at HPC: we make all arrangements for aggregates coming in by ship to the project. The dredger that delivers sand for HPC is also part of Hanson’s fleet. In fact, we’ll probably be involved with the HPC project one way or another through to completion. Whether that’s delivering materials for the above-ground build or when the final landscaping phase begins.

Q. What job opportunities are there with Hanson?

A. If you’re interested in working for Hanson, you can register your interest for our 2020 LEAD Higher Apprenticeship programme. Designed for enthusiastic school leavers, our Leadership, Education and Development (LEAD) higher management apprenticeship programme will help you develop the skills to become a future supervisor or manager.

You’ll get paid, gain hands-on experience and earn a foundation degree in mineral extractives. The programme could take you anywhere around the UK and you’ll develop a really good understanding of our business.

Q. What skills and behaviours are you looking for?

A. Our basic requirements are 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, including Maths, Science and English. You’ll have to be willing to relocate at any stage during the three-year programme, so you need to be adaptable, show initiative and have a good work ethic. If you’re determined and committed, a good team player and comfortable working with others, get in touch! You’re the type of person we’re looking for. And if you make it to interview, remember to do your homework… Show the interviewer that you’ve researched Hanson’s products and services, and are confident talking about what we do and the projects we work on, including HPC.

Find out more about Hanson’s LEAD programme. If you’re aged between 16-21 and not already signed up to our skills programme, Young HPC, you can register here and be first in line to hear about new apprenticeship opportunities at Hinkley Point C.