Roy Cavanagh MBE (semi-retired, consultant at Seddon and Salford College) spoke about himself to a group of students including myself recently. His life story and words were really inspiring to say the least, of how he started his working life in the pay roll department to becoming an established member in the construction industry. Roy mentioned the word resilience and how it is key, and it shows because he had to distribute cash in hand to around 900 people every Thursday at Seddon Construction. This was mentioned as an undervalued job but very repetitive.

Roy after this went on to be a writer and even did writing for Manchester United, saying he has done 25 books now mostly about football and cricket. He even had the privilege to interview Sir Matt Busby and had the pleasure of knowing George Best, which I am very jealous of.

The construction industry ‘screams out for the knowledge’ and construction companies should be made to take on apprenticeship full time students. Roy makes it clear that he is dedicated to young people getting jobs which is shown by leading the 14-19 year old diploma in construction and the built environment. Roy highlighted that in work you should have the four A’s, these are: attendance, attitude, ability and ambition. Attendance is ‘vital’ in the workplace, with right attitude you will ‘get on more with people,’ your ability ‘should at least be good’ and from that should have ‘ambition’ to further your skills. Roy finished off talking about interviews and that ‘face to face interviews are much better.’ He also had a good few pointers of making sure to have a good handshake and eye contact in interviews.