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Alumni Stories: How Jack Built His Career from the Ground Up

Each project has taught me something new, and it all traces back to the skills and opportunities I had at Highlands. It is an incredible place to build your career, and gave me the foundations for everything I’ve achieved.

What began as an introduction to practical learning has developed into a career delivering some of Jersey’s most significant construction projects.

Jack Arthur first stepped into Highlands College before leaving secondary school, enrolling on the BTEC Level 1 Construction course. Covering a range of trades including carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, and electrical work, it gave him his first exposure to the industry and allowed him to nurture a love for practical learning and teamwork.

That early experience sparked an interest that led him to progress onto the Level 2 Construction course. It was here that his direction began to take shape, and he credits the patient support of course tutors, pushing him to succeed and helping him to forge a path to a successful career. 

As his course drew to a close, Jack knew his next step depended on finding the right opportunity. That opportunity came in an unexpected way, through a job advert pinned to a noticeboard at Highlands for a trainee site manager/site engineer role at Rok Construction.

That opportunity really set everything in motion. Learning on site every day alongside college gave me a completely different understanding, you could see how it all connected. I set out to prove myself, and I was trusted with more responsibility.

Alongside his job, Jack progressed onto the Level 3 Construction apprenticeship, building his knowledge of the theoretical side of the industry while gaining on-site experience. During this time, he contributed to major projects including the construction of the Police Headquarters and the restoration of the historic Jersey College for Girls building into residential apartments. 

As his experience developed, so did his role. He progressed from trainee to assistant site manager, and then to site manager, taking on major responsibilities including delivering projects such as the Les Quennevais School development.

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That’s when I really learnt the value of discipline, teamwork, and time management, you have to stay focused, especially when things get busy. When I finished my degree, I finally felt like a true professional in the industry.

Determined to continue progressing, Jack moved on to complete a Higher National Certificate in Construction Management, followed by a degree through University College Jersey. Balancing full-time work with evening study, often meant giving up evenings and weekends, but Jack remained focused on his long-term goal.

Today, Jack is a Project Manager at Rok, overseeing projects from early planning stages through to completion. Recent work includes the Oakfield Sports Centre, with current projects continuing to shape key infrastructure across the island.

Reflecting on his journey, Jack is clear about the importance of finding the right path early and staying committed to it. He encourages students to find enjoyment in their career first, then focus on long-term growth rather than short-term gain.

Jack’s journey demonstrates how hands-on learning, commitment, and opportunity can come together to build a lasting and successful career.

Feeling inspired? Discover our courses in Construction and Engineering by visiting our course pages here. 

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