‘Anything’s possible at Mainbrace’: How James Clarke went from a construction Cadet to Project Supervisor in less than three years
James Clarke is a true testament to what can be achieved at Mainbrace. Joining our construction cadetship program in Sydney, he learned from some of the industry’s best, gaining hands-on experience across some incredible projects – including one of our most complex and challenging builds. Today, James is a Project Supervisor, and with his zest for learning and grabbing opportunities, we can’t wait to see what he achieves next.
How the Army Reserve prepared James for success in construction
Uncomfortable, cold, wet, late nights walking through the bush… they’re all typical experiences in the Australian Army Reserve. Yet, James Clarke’s deployments taught him vital lessons in teamwork, communication and resilience – values he brings to Mainbrace every day.
“The Army Reserve was an interesting experience,” James reflects. “For me, it was a good building block; it broke down the barrier of age. Coming out of school, you’re used to speaking with people your own age. In the Army Reserve, I was dealing with people of all ages, and we were all of the same rank, performing the same role. I think that’s assisted me in construction life. A lot of what we do is about good communication, getting the right people for the job, and teamwork.”
Since joining us as a Cadet in 2020, James has embraced every opportunity to progress at Mainbrace. His strong work ethic and willingness to learn have seen him rise swiftly through the ranks, and today, he’s one of our valued Project Supervisors.
The key to his success? James says it’s the chance to be mentored by industry experts and gain experience working on diverse, innovative builds that make a lasting difference in our communities.
“What sets Mainbrace apart is opportunity. At a lot of the bigger construction firms out there, you get siloed into doing the same thing. Here, it’s a flatter structure and you cover more ground. Everyone supports each other, and Mainbrace invests a lot in creating an environment of success. That’s why I choose to stay here.”
A construction cadetship program with all the tools, experts and growth you need
Ambitious and outdoorsy, James grew up aspiring to join the Royal Military College. A serious rugby injury in Year 12 meant a change of plans, but serving with the Army Reserve for four years was a great way for James to train, travel and gain important life skills while studying at university.
After completing his Bachelor of Project Management (Civil Engineering Science), James applied for a graduate role at Mainbrace in early 2020 … and broke his foot just two days before his interview!
“I actually broke my foot in three places – again, I was playing rugby. I hobbled into my interview, but later that week, I got a call back from Mainbrace saying I had the job. I didn’t really know what I’d signed myself up for, but I soon found that Mainbrace had a very structured program for learning. I think their graduate program is one of the best, based on conversations I’ve had with mates at other companies.”
As a Cadet, James built a solid foundation for his construction career, gaining experience in Contract Administration and Site Administration. He was also involved in one of Mainbrace’s most complex and challenging builds – 262 Liverpool Street at Darlinghurst.
Completed in early 2022, this two-year project involved transforming a heritage-listed building into office space – and it well and truly put James on a trajectory of growth.
“That was a very complex project, so I got to see many different elements of construction. We had a great project team full of highly regarded people who were happy to show me the way. The depth of knowledge I was surrounded by assisted my journey to grow as a person and become better at what I did. We won a Master Builders award in Sydney for that project, which was great recognition for the team and certainly for me to be part of that team.”
A true team that has your back
During the Darlinghurst project, James transitioned from cadet to Contract Administrator. He continued to work on significant projects – including Melito Place Warehouse, a 30,000 sqm complex for which he took the lead in supervising the construction of an expansive cold storage facility.
Now, as Project Supervisor, James oversees all aspects of a project from start to finish. James relishes the variety of his role, dividing his time between the office and getting hands-on onsite. Each project has its challenges, yet James rises to each one, knowing he’s part of an honest, hard-working team that has his back through thick and thin.
“There are always problems to solve, and it’s not always easy. But a year later, you look back and think, ‘Wow, I’m glad I was part of that project and part of that team.’ Team cohesion is what makes the job most enjoyable. It’s probably the biggest contributor to a project’s success and Mainbrace’s success.”
James looks forward to continuing to learn, grow and progress his career at Mainbrace. His advice to anyone thinking of joining the Mainbrace team? Bring your integrity, honesty and teamwork, and you’ll find a great place to build your career.
“Go in with an open mind; you’ll never know what you can achieve. Anything’s possible at Mainbrace.”
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