Andrew Li

FIFO Graduate Engineer

Andrew Li completed his Bachelor of Engineering (Civil) and Bachelor of Business (Finance) at Queensland University of Technology in 2022 and is now a FIFO Graduate Engineer with BMD based in Brisbane and travelling to the Northern Territory. No two days are ever the same in his role, and the following profile provides a general snapshot of what his day may involve.

5.30 AM

Wake up, get dressed, grab my bag, and head to the mess (dining hall) to pack my breakfast, lunch, and snacks for the day. The camp I stay at provides a variety of fruits, salads, rice, meats, and bread for all workers to choose from. Typically, I don’t eat breakfast until later in the day.

5.50 AM

Drive to work from camp into the RAAF Base.

BMD

6.00 AM

Arrive at the office and make a coffee.

6.10 AM

Check the weather, Jet/Plane flying program and find a fun fact or joke to present to the work crew at pre-start, called “Builders Brief”. Also print any permits that are required for the ground staff to commence works.

6.30 AM

Arrive at daily pre-start and listen to the supervision team announce any safety issues and planned works for the day. I then present the “Builders Brief” to the crew and hope to lighten people’s day up a little bit.

6.45 AM

Have a chat with my foreman regarding priorities for the day and where I can assist engineering-wise, whether that be booking in inspections, ordering /hiring plant and materials or sorting out any technical issues. The morning is the best time to discuss with site supervision the planned action.

7.00 AM

Back in the office to go through emails and take action any critical tasks, such as liaising with suppliers, raising any issues to clients and onboarding subcontractors for the job.

8.00 AM

Head out to site and complete pre-pour inspections with our client to ensure quality of work is to standard. Then I contacted the concrete batch plant to confirm concrete.

BMD

9.00 AM

Attend the concrete pour for our structures, document all dockets received, and resolve any issues that may arise.

10.30 AM

Head to the AirForce café (AAFCans) with workmates for smoko and coffee.

11.00 AM

Back in the office to process, file and submit quality documents for the concrete pour.

12.00 PM

Liaise with supervision team on how works is going for the day and start looking ahead to the next days scheduled works.

12.30 PM

Lunch and raise concrete orders, testing and permits for the next day in preparation for 2pm meeting.

1.00 PM

Head out to site and check in on the progress of site works against planned program. Provide engineering support to any ad-hoc tasks.

2.00 PM

At the meeting room, all engineers and foremen plan inspections for the following day and discuss higher-level issues. Then submit inspection list to the client.

3.00 PM

Be on site for pre-pour inspection for the following days works.

3.45 PM

In the office to close out any loops.

BMD

4.15 PM

Track the previous day’s productivities to know whether profit or loss was made for my specific works.

4.45 PM

Write a hitlist for the following day.

5.00 PM

Drive back to camp and get changed for the gym.

5.45 PM

One-hour running or weight session.

6.45 PM

Shower, change and head to the mess for dinner. Dinner varies at camp; generally, there are four to five vegetable, two meat or two to three carb options, along with fruits and desserts.

7.30 PM

Wind down, do any personal tasks or facetime loved ones. I believe this is essential to maintaining healthy relationships while working away.

9.30 PM

Bedtime.

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