Our wonderful team are our greatest asset. Not only experts in transport, engineering and placemaking but also committed to delivering better places for people through high-level-service client experiences.
We’re very proud to continue to celebrate the faces behind the fast-growing international consultancy that we are today in our monthly feature ‘PJA People’.
Next up in our series is Associate, Kwasi Amoah, based in our Reading office:
Tell us what you do at PJA
I am an Associate based in the Reading office working on wide portfolio of civils design from feasibility through to detailed design and implementation in accordance with approved design standards including the LTN 1/20.
I also collaborate with colleagues in Cambridge, London, and Birmingham to support them in the delivery of the highway schemes from concept through to detailed design.
What’s your career path so far?
Growing up, I had in mind to become either a medical doctor, a civil engineer, or an aeronautical engineer. With time, I had developed strong interest in Civil Engineering, which I studied at university, followed by Master of Science in Engineering.
I began my professional career as a Graduate Intelligent Transport Engineer (ITS) where I had the opportunity to work on numerous local and international projects, including delivery of the Emergency Roadside Telephone training units for Highways England (now National Highways) and Doha Express for the Government of Qatar. I gained valuable knowledge and experience working in this field.
After a good two years as a Graduate ITS, and being on the company’s graduate scheme, I requested to be moved to the highways department to practice what I had studied at university. This was very exciting in a sense that, not only was I involved in all stages of design through to construction, I also had good exposure on-site with senior colleagues to supervise construction work relating to the design. This has given me a versatile mix of skills and knowledge as well as an appreciation of engineering.
The technical approval process from the design prior to construction has never been straight forward and with new regulations and changes to industry standards, it is now tougher, daunting and frustrating sometimes for engineers. However, the fulfilling and exciting aspect of the work is seeing the design come to fruition.
I successfully obtained Chartership Status in 2016 and a year later a Fellow of CIHT. I undertake Profession review and offer mentorship to potential candidates.
Joining PJA at the start of the 2023, I have been working with our amazing Reading team to deliver a growing list of developer / private sector highways workload for S38, S278 and S104. I am keen to develop junior staff member skills and to offer mentorship to those who wish to attain a professional qualification.
What do you enjoy when you’re not working?
Spending time with my family and friends, going on adventures, watching movies and football.
Are you a dog or cat person?
I am a cat person, although we don’t have one yet, I sure we will welcome one to the family someday.
What are you currently reading or listening to?
I am preparing to conduct Professional Reviews, hence currently reading through documents/reports of candidates who wish to attain professional status.
Claim to fame?
In 2019, I was walking to the office located near Houses of Parliament, Westminster; this was during Brexit time and the press was busy outside Parliament covering various events. Just as I had passed the coverage area, my friends started calling to say they have seen me on Sky News and that I just walked past Sky News political commentator Berth Rigby interviewing an MP. I decided to watch Sky News at 10am, thankfully, the interview was repeated to confirm my popularity!
Kwasi Amoah, Associate
Kwasi is an Associate based in the Reading office with over 14 years’ experience working on wide portfolio of civils design from feasibility through to detailed design and implementation in accordance with approved design standards for public and private sectors. Kwasi has extensive experience in highways, traffic management, public realm design and site supervision.
He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation and undertakes Professional Reviews.
MEng, CEng FCIHT
Get in touch with Kwasi: [email protected]
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