As part of our commitment to nurturing new talent through the PPP internship programme, we’re proud to highlight the journey of Reece Gunn – a driven and dedicated intern, who has made a real impact over the last 12 months with March Engineering.
Reece joined the team following a brief period of unemployment after college, bringing with him a strong work ethic, a willingness to learn, and a clear determination to make the most of the opportunity in front of him.
He said: “I was a little apprehensive about joining the team at first, as this was something I had minimal experience in, but I was mostly determined as I knew this was a very good opportunity for me.”
Reece stepped into the role of an intern quantity surveyor (QS), a critical position that involves liaising with the client and subcontractors to calculate initial and ongoing costs and substantiate proof of those costs effectively and accurately.
Despite being new to the field, Reece quickly immersed himself in the work and began developing the key skills needed to thrive in such a technical and fast-paced environment.
Reece added: “I feel my time here has gone very well. I’ve learned so much from my colleagues in the past year, and I now feel like the work I do has meaning and adds value to the business.”
His enthusiasm for learning and adaptability have already made a strong impression. Looking ahead, Reece is eager to continue developing professionally and deepen his understanding of our projects.
He said: “My future goals are to remain in my role here at March, to become an official employee, and to deepen my knowledge of Sellafield contracts so that I may be of more use to my colleagues.”
Advice for other interns
Reece also had some thoughtful advice for future interns and early-career professionals: “Take your time — no one expects you to know everything at first. Get to know your colleagues, because they always have something to teach you. And never be afraid to ask questions.”
Anita Brookes, regional commercial director at March Engineering, said: “Since Reece joined our team in Whitehaven as an intern QS, he has fitted in well and is a popular member of the team. He is wanting to get involved in everything and his enthusiasm to learn and develop into a QS professional is really pleasing to see.
“If it wasn’t for the internship programme, Reece may never have had this opportunity come his way. The skills he learnt from the programme really shone through when he came in that day for his interview.
“He was clear, confident, extremely prepared for an interview situation and his personality blew us all away. The internship programme has helped set him up for life and it is now in Reece’s hands to grab every opportunity that comes his way.
“March would definitely look for another intern when the recruitment need comes around again.”
Reece’s story is a fantastic reminder that growth often begins with a step into the unknown. Through hard work, support, and the right environment, it’s possible to go from uncertainty to confidence and to build a career with purpose along the way.
We’re proud to have Reece as part of PPP, and we look forward to seeing where his journey takes him next.