project engineer

project manager

estimator

superintendent

field engineer

PCL Construction

PCL is a good company to work for as long as you get along with all the team surrounding you hence it will determine which job you will be assigned to. They promote in theory a safe, comfortable and healthy work environment but once you're assigned to a team you are either working so many hours your productivity will be affected (this is not an eight hour job!), learning as you go and through an extreme learning curve, or under micromanaged work scenarios (field or office) that in some cases go against the company's policies (safety, harassment, bullying, etc,) all in order to get the job done no matter what, i.e production overrules safety. 
There is a lot of favoritism for certain employees that have been in the company for a long time time but without the credentials/education/experience, which are basis for an effective management. Here productivity = added work time, but overwork leads to decreased total output and less efficiency due to stress or fatigue. Moreover, the field quality errors and oversight of possible mistakes can be detrimental to the work.
There is a lack of an effective approach to identify and deliver the right training to people. Appropriate job assignments to practice skills are not clearly identified and the employee is expected to utilize his/her training without the benefit of a mentor/supervisor to guide and validate their work. A qualified (knowledgeable) supervisor is not necessarily an appropriate mentor.

A typical day began with safety talks and walk through of the job site as well as a muscle stretching exercise. This was followed by instructions for the day from the supervisor and distributing the proper tools and materials to the job site.
Since the the job site was in a fuel refinery setting we were required to construct a fire resistant hut and posted one person to fire and safety watch through out the work day while we operated grinders that generated sparks and chain hoists to move the steel fuel transfer pipe to be fitted together for welding.
The end of the work day consisted of clearing the job site of any debris generated or any small hot spots and then returning tools and leftover materials back to the assembly area and work shack.
I learned a lot about creating angles on steel pipe, grinder operation and safe working habits.
Managers and supervisors were always available to help out when problems arose. Co-workers needed to work as a close knit team as our lives and safety depended on each others support every minute.
The hardest part of the job was enduring the heat, high humidity and mosquitoes. The most enjoyable part of the job was the things i learned and the relationships i had created with my co-workers.

I get to work between 7:15 and 7:45 and prepare for the day. Lots of times there are meetings scheduled during this time. At 8:15 the students start to come in. Most of them want to chat a little bit or get a hug (they're in third grade) while they turn in their homework and then they begin their morning work. At 8:30 we listen to the announcements, take attendance and the lunch count, check reading sheets and assignment sheets, and do the pledge. I then start teaching and teach until 12:30. I walk my students to lunch and then go use the bathroom, wash my hands, and get my lunch. My students return at 1:10 - 1:15 and we do ten minute math. At 1:25 they go to specials: art, music, p.e., or media center until 2:10. (While they are at special I grade papers, run copies, answer emails and phone calls, fill out forms and reports, and do whatever I need to do. There's always more work than I can accomplish at this time.) I teach from 2:10 until 3:10 and then walk the students to the bus. I clean up the room, grade papers, make phone calls, organize my papers to take home, answer emails, etc. and typically get home between 4:00 and 5:00. If there are meetings scheduled after school I get home between 5:00 and 6:00. I make supper, eat with my family, and then do my homework. My homework typically takes from one to three hours. If I have to type up a test, studyguide, or worksheet it can take longe



It’s the good old boy club. They ask you to fill out goals for three months six months etc. But give you NO guidance or help on achieving those goals and if by some miracle you do get a chance they do it for a day or two just to placate you. You will hear a plethora full of excuses of who to ask where to go, it’s a wild goose Chase. When you decide to take it into your own hands and enroll into some classes because you were not getting any help from them. They try to make you feel guilty for leaving the job to go to class you will hear people complaining about it; telling you that you need to be at work helping to try to get the job done. They treat their craft people like trash…like they are uneducated and incompetent ( unless your part of the good old boy club) they are condescending, passive aggressive,play little psychological games towards them.They think just because they buy you pizza it showing appreciation while they don’t give raises to deal with the cost of living or move you up. The PM’s , PE’s, superintendence etc. get treated very well. They ranked 2 nd in the most profitable company at 5.6 Billion but can’t….. I mean, they won’t, give out raises or bonuses to the craft employees it’s reserved for upper management or people that are in their close circle. 

Showed up to work at 5:30 everyday, rode a bus into the job site, met with my supervisor who had work laid out for us, do my job safely and go home at the end of the day

I learned how to properly install cable tray and supports
I learned how to fabricate and install wire basket tray
I learned how to pull cable
I learned basic terminating skills for receptacles and lighting
I learned how to operate an aerial work platform
I learned how to safely operate power hand tools such as portable bandsaws, drills, reciprocating saws, hammer drills

management was pretty good at field supervisor level, I knew what I would be working on the day before and sometimes a few days in advance so there was plenty of time to plan and prepare for the work ahead

climbing up multiple flights of stairs carrying tools and material would have to be the hardest part of the job

I really enjoyed the people I worked with. they made everyday fun and taught me different ways to do things to make tasks faster and more efficient.

The laborers and contractors were all good guys. I enjoyed chatting with them. Safety Culture was awesome to. Even the contractors assimilated to our safety culture and saw the benefits firsthand. My boss however offered no guidance and didn't answer any questions I had. Eventually I was let go for I quote "Not being the right fit". I chalked it up to not getting along with a specific Project Manager that wanted me to be for lack of a better word, rude, to the laborers to promote safety. I knew from experience that that never worked. He also wanted me to work with him and the engineers from 7am till 7pm. Being a Safety Supervisor my work was done when laborers left at 4pm. That's when I left. I wanted a life outside of the job and that unfortunately doesn't jive with this company.

Typical day at work wasn’t that bad. Everything changed when they changed management in my department. This rolled over into not communicating the expectations and trying to find a way to get rid of the employees. Completely blindsided by his intentions instead of communicating what the expectations were, very unprofessional. The culture is alright in the office but everyone beats around the bush and will go behind your back to complain instead of approaching it forward. Stay out of the office as there is too much drama and politics. But really great benefits and did made some good friends while working here. It all depends in what department you are in as there are a lot of good people working there. I am glad that I am gone as my department was unprofessional.

What is the best part of working at the company?
DEI program is the the companies top priority.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Insincere culture, with focus on deception to avoid accountability.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Similar to any teen pop culture movie plot.  Consistently awful people playing rolls they have been appointed to specifically based on the popular narrative of the media.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Random conflicts with project teams, fielding complaints from tradesmen and sub contractors.  Some actual construction activities but the focus of energy seemed to always be searching for a way into the spotlight.  Not enjoyable for men who have earned their position on merit.

supervised heavy equipment operators moving material and unloading and loading material from semis also supervised a cleanup crew of site took care of employees hours and payroll time off and safety meetings also took care of hazardous waste on site and or fluids and liquids from equipment. supervised over 70 people Plus had to keep track of each piece of equipment keep them maintenance clean also when equipment was damaged I took care of getting it in for maintenance loved my job worked over 80 hours a week first one to show up in the morning to unlock all the gates last one to leave to lock all the gates.

My experience with PCL was positive for the most part.  I worked with some really great people and learned a lot about the QC process and gained valuable experience in segmental construction.  Working in the casting yard was the most enjoyable experience.  Although we worked on average, 70 hr work weeks, the work was rewarding and the people I worked with were great mentors.  Upper management could be a little less arrogant and do what they say they will do.  Reviews were often late or rushed at the last minute, so patience with that process was the hardest.  I have been in bridge construction for 20 years and absolutely love it!  I constantly learn and grow from the experience so nothing about it ever really seems to hard to me.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Project engineer 7 salaries reported	$90,071 per year
Project manager 1 salary reported	$141,000 per year
Estimator 1 salary reported	$22.00 per hour
Superintendent 1 salary reported	$116,000 per year
Field engineer 1 salary reported	$21.00 per hour

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