Updating Results

Victoria's Big Build

4.3
  • 1,000 - 50,000 employees

Victoria's Big Build Reviews

Based on 27 surveyed graduates working at Victoria's Big Build. Read on to get an insider’s view on life as a graduate.
4.3
Based on 27 reviews

Pros & Cons

  • Work-life balance. Training Opportunities. High-profile projects.
  • I love the culture of learning that the project embodies. Everyone I have worked with so far has been very receptive when I am honest about my flaws and say 'I don't know'. I also love that the project sees itself not just as a construction project, but as a social enterprise that aims to support its employees in living a happy and healthy life.
  • There are so many opportunities to participate in educational and self-development courses, making this graduate program extremely worthwhile.
  • Very positive environment facilitating growth as a new graduate.
  • There is a host of experience at the company with most of upper management coming from the private sector.
  • You aren't just treated as someone who doesn't know anything, you are given meaningful work that clearly shapes individual projects and the program as a whole. There is plenty of support from other members of your work group, your managers and the graduate program leads. The graduate cohort are also a really diverse and great group of people.
  • Under resourced and organisational systems and processes aren't fully in place, which leads to some disorganisation.
  • Not always included in discussions about my future involvement in tasks or rotations
  • Not much to dislike, although a bit of clarity on the grad program (i.e., our rotations, first communications with our manager/supervisor) could have been handled a little better.
  • High level work. Not much technical detail work.
  • From a graduate perspective, our rotations are quite short (6 months) and just as you're finding your groove with the team and building relationships you have to move into a new team. A necessity for exposure, but a burden nonetheless.
  • Can be overwhelming working on a large project- feeling lost at times

What Insiders Say

7.9
Career Prospects
7.9
Career Prospects
The graduate program here encourages us to rotate so we can ensure we can explore different areas to find out where we'd like to be the most. Will find out more over the coming months on how to "move up the ranks".
8.4
Corporate Social Responsibility
8.4
Corporate Social Responsibility
Strong focus on public accountability and ethics with regular training, reputation is critical on major public projects. I would like to see more community outreach but suspect this has been limited in past year due to covid. Presently only comms and stakeholder teams/grads are involved in community programs and events.
9.2
Culture
9.2
Culture
Overall a very friendly organisational culture with lots of cross team collaboration. Managers are generally accessible and sincere. Big emphasis on teamwork and sharing knowledge and capacity across teams. Colleagues are exceedingly friendly and pleasant to socialise with.
8.6
Diversity
8.6
Diversity
There are not a lot of women in the engineering and IT sectors, however, there are initiatives to address the gender imbalance. There are also initiatives looking at increasing indigenous participation, and GEN44 internship programs. There are also groups such as Bent Rail for LGBT staff.
8.0
Satisfaction
8.0
Satisfaction
My current position has me helping to develop and deliver project-wide deliverables and assisting with organising stakeholder presentations. I would say I have been spending more time on the management side rather than engineering but that comes with the rotation I'm in.
8.7
Management
8.7
Management
Not only is my manager accessible, it's very easy to communicate with other managers to the point where it almost feels "interpersonal" around the workplace! Upon joining the project, there is an organisational chart which all employees can have a look at to see everyone who works here in a hierarchical view, plus a "people finder" helps find others easier to connect with. My manager is superb and might as well be a friend, as busy as they may be they'll always find the time to chat with me whenever I need help with anything. They are also supportive of my needs as a graduate even if they don't concern the work my manager does so they go to great lengths to ensure my experience is as excellent as can be.
8.2
Office Work Environment
8.2
Office Work Environment
The head office space is modern and well equipped with ample kitchen facilities. Prior to Covid-19 a hot desking system was in place, resulting in competition for desks. Dress code is standard office wear, but not to the point of suit jackets.
8.0
Recruitment
8.0
Recruitment
Assessments were good, tailored to my discipline which was refreshing. I didn't get a lot of info about the work I would do, however, and I don't think they sold it to me particularly well.
8.8
Salary
8.8
Salary
The Graduate starting salary is very generous. Whilst there are no bonuses or significant pay rises in the Graduate program, the next level of pay is also quite generous.
8.1
Training
8.1
Training
The training at my project is exceptional and one of the highlights of both the organisation and the grad program. Dedicated learning weeks for grads, including professional development and CERT IV training is including in the program. My project also provides learning modules to develop professionally, as well as 'Lunch and Learns' where a subject expert will spend an hour teaching employees about a specific part of the organisation (I.E tunnel boring machines).
8.9
Work Hours
8.9
Work Hours
My hours are set at 76 a fortnight, and this is perfect for me. There is a lot of flexibility regarding how you go about achieving them, provided you communicate with your manager.
8.5
Sustainability
8.5
Sustainability
The project is a leader in terms of sustainable infrastructure and is the #1 reason why I wanted to join the organisation. The dedicated sustainability team is lead by two of the most knowledgeable professionals in the industry and there is a clear dedication to sustainable practice which is outlined in the Sustainability Management Plan, focusing on key areas such as: Climate Resilience, Materials and Energy, and Liveable Communities. Culture change is integral to this plan and dedication/success percolates through the industry and inspires positive change in other organisations. The project is also committed to internal greenery with their office/workforce focused Green Team. There is always more that can be done, however, and I believe that some employees still need to come to the party.