Leteesha Flore, Building Services Technician

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What I do

I help turn empty buildings into places that people can use for living in, working in or entertainment.

I work with a team who install all the mechanical services in mostly large office buildings, such as heating, air conditioning, ventilation, toilets and water – everything you need to comfortably spend time in a building.

My job is to help develop the plans, manage the installation teams, solve problems on site and make sure everything is tested properly once it’s installed.

A building might have walls, floors and a ceiling, but without these services, it’s just a shell.

My team brings it building to life – I like to say it’s like adding the organs into a body so it can live and breathe and function, and people can work there safely and comfortably.

Building Services Technician Leteesha, working in a construction site, wearing a hi-vis vest, hard hat and gloves, marking up some drawings on a clipboard.

Hear more about Leteesha's role by watching the video below...

How I became a technician

For my GCSE options, I chose French, history and drama.

After my GCSEs, I went to college and originally chose A-levels in maths, physics, drama and French, but I later changed subjects and studied statistics, communication and culture and drama instead.

I didn’t do particularly well in my A-levels. I went to college because I felt I had to, rather than because I had a clear plan or I was enjoying it.

How I became a technician

At 18, I started looking for an apprenticeship. I originally wanted to work with cars, but then started exploring all types of engineering. I thought construction engineering looked interesting.

I sent my CV to a small company called Smoke Control Services. I liked seeing that they all enjoyed their work, so I accepted an apprenticeship as a project engineer.

How I became a technician

I completed a BTEC Level 3 Project Engineering apprenticeship, followed by a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and then I started a degree apprenticeship.

After five and a half years, I moved to another company as an assistant building services engineer. They supported me while I completed my degree apprenticeship and I worked there for two and a half years before joining Excel Project Services, where I am now.

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A typical day in my working life

I usually arrive on site at around 7:30am. The installation teams arrive at 7am, so they are already getting started when I arrive.

My first job is to speak to the teams about the day’s priorities, such as telling them that a particular area must be completed by a certain date, and making sure they have the correct drawings and information.

Throughout the day, the people who work on site come to me with problems and it's my job to find the solutions.

A typical day in my working life

For instance, a drawing might show pipework following a particular route, but an object could be blocking it, so I'll need to find a different route that will not affect the overall system.

To do this, I might need to check the flow rate, which means how quickly the water or air moves through the pipe.

A typical day in my working life

I manage plumbers, ventilation installers, leak detection specialists and Building Management System engineers. A Building Management System is a central system that can control things such as heating, lighting and ventilation across a large building.

I also speak to clients about changes. For example, if they want a fixture or fitting in a different colour, I work out the extra cost, delivery time, installation time and testing time and check they are happy with the changes.

A typical day in my working life

When I'm not on site sorting issues and speaking to the tradespeople, I'm in the office answering emails, requesting prices, ordering materials and marking changes on drawings for the design team.

I usually finish between 4:30pm and 5pm, although I sometimes stay until around 6pm to complete my paperwork.

Want to explore the world of technicians?

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Meet the technicians

Building Services Technician Leteesha, walking through a construction site, wearing a hi-vis vest, hard hat and gloves.

What I love about my job

I love that every project is different. Each building brings new problems to solve. Even when I am doing a similar type of work, the layout, design and people are different, so I’m always learning.

I enjoy being given a problem and working out a practical solution. The drawings might look perfect on paper, but things do not always fit once we start installing them.

I also enjoy meeting a new team on each project. My people skills are always being tested because I have to understand how different people work, from the clients to the tradespeople. Most of the time, we end up having a good laugh together on site.

The skills I use most

People skills are probably the most important part of my job. Technical knowledge can be taught, but I need to communicate with lots of different people, including clients, designers, managers and installation teams. Some people can work independently, while others need more guidance.

It’s important I understand the best way to explain a task to each person. Sometimes there are language barriers on construction sites so I either ask a supervisor who can translate, or I use a translation app on my phone – even speaking two different languages, we can make it work.

Problem solving is another important skill. When something can’t be installed as shown on a drawing, I need to understand the technical information and make a sensible decision quickly.

I also use attention to detail when inspecting completed work. A small unfinished item could cause a much bigger problem later, so I make sure everything is properly installed, tested and recorded.

Construction is not only about physical work. I spend the day answering questions, solving problems, organising people and thinking about how one change might affect the entire project.

I love that every project is different. Each building brings new problems to solve. The drawings might look perfect on paper, but things do not always fit once we start installing them.

Do not put too much pressure on yourself. I found my A-levels stressful and didn't get the results I had hoped for, but that didn't stop me from building a successful career.

A little more about my everyday role

The best bits about working in a team

Most projects have two managers based on site. On larger projects, there can be several of us. We're also supported by office-based design, procurement and pre-construction teams. The design team develops the drawings, while the procurement team helps us buy the correct materials.

There's always someone I can call when I come across something new. Even if another project manager is working on a different site, I can phone them and ask whether they have seen a similar problem.

The company has so many very experienced people who are always willing to help. Knowing that support is available means I never feel completely on my own.

My favourite piece of equipment

One of my favourite tools is an app called Site Audit Pro. When I inspect an area, I can take photographs of anything that is unfinished and add a written description.

The app then creates a report, which saves a lot of time. Instead of writing everything down separately, I can record the issue while I’m walking around the site and send the completed report to the contractor. Other people might not enjoy receiving my detailed reports of things they need to do, but I love being able to record every little detail!

We also use a software called Dalux, where contractors can upload photographs from their phones, which means I can quickly check their work or issues without them waiting for me to get there.

What I like to do in my spare time

I enjoy crocheting, especially small, cute, stuffed animals. After a long and busy day on a construction site, crochet gives me a chance to relax and do something peaceful.

I also enjoy taking my dog out. I live quite a calm life outside work now. My dream would be to live on a small farm in the countryside, where I could sit and crochet. I would also love to have some cows – I love cows, although I might not have thought through all the practical details!

My school days

When I was younger, I spent a lot of time outdoors playing football.

I also enjoyed brain teasers and puzzle games where I had to work out how different pieces fitted together or find the solution to a problem. Looking back, those interests make sense. Solving problems is now a big part of my job.

At school, I thought I might become a lawyer because it sounded like a successful and impressive career. However, I didn't particularly enjoy reading and writing, so it wouldn't have suited me at all!

When I was younger, I didn't know about the huge range of jobs available in engineering and construction, and that women could work in construction too. I hope that now I can show other girls they can do this too.

The most exciting thing I’ve achieved in my job

One of the things I am most proud of is becoming someone people feel comfortable approaching with a question. Construction sites can feel intimidating, especially for someone who is new or worried that their question might sound silly.

People know they can ask me something without being judged. I want them to feel confident enough to speak up because asking a question is much better than guessing and making a mistake.

My last project was also the first project I managed on my own. I had another project engineer working alongside me, but I took the lead. It showed me how far I had progressed since starting my apprenticeship.

A surprising fact about my job

Construction is not only about physical work. The installers on site are doing demanding hands-on jobs, but my role is more mentally demanding. I spend the day answering questions, solving problems, organising people and thinking about how one change might affect the entire project.

Also, I realise how science plays a part in what I do too – for example physics helps me understand flow rates and whether equipment is too heavy for a particular support.

The next steps in my career journey

My current role sits between project engineer and project manager, and I have recently completed my first project as the lead manager.

My next step is to continue building my experience, managing more projects and taking on more responsibility.

Even after ten years in construction, I'm still learning. Every new building, client and team gives me another chance to improve my technical knowledge and become a better manager.

The advice I’d give to someone younger

Do not put too much pressure on yourself. I found my A-levels stressful and didn't get the results I had hoped for, but that didn't stop me from building a successful career.

Study hard, but also pay attention to what you enjoy and what you are naturally good at. Don't force yourself towards a career simply because it sounds impressive. There are lots of great jobs out there that you might not have heard about yet.