Three decades of excellence: Joe's impact at UGL
Celebrating 37 years with UGL, Joe Fitti has worked on 21 projects in his time with us. He has shared his knowledge and wealth of experience with a number of graduates who have gone on to have successful careers.
Tell us about your UGL journey
“I started with UGL as a mechanical fitter for one of our mining constructions teams. From there I completed a variety of manual roles from rigging, scaffolding, pipe fitting and crane driving. It was on a liquefied natural gas (LNG) train build in 1988 that I was recognised for my work, and promoted to a supervisor working up to superintendent by 1992.
“I completed a project management diploma and worked in Perth (NW & SW) from 1995 as a 2IC (second in charge) for ten years across various projects then project managed a number of projects until 2007 when I was promoted to program manager. I had several project managers reporting to me across multiple fuels, resources and energy clients on the west coast, including an oil and gas (O&G) site in Victoria, it was a large portfolio.
“I was part of the original team that won the Chevron projects in 2013, which then led to me working at Chevron’s facilities as UGL’s operations lead manager. I later transitioned to a shutdown manager role based out of Perth also assisting the decommissioning of a refinery. My current role is the interim manager for the Alcoa contract and supporting others.
What has kept you at UGL?
“I enjoy my work because it has been very diverse, I have worked in total on 21 projects. It does not feel like I have worked for UGL all these years because each new project, is a new site, I get to meet a new clients and build a new team with hopefully some colleagues from other UGL sites.”
What actions or projects made an impact on your time at UGL?
“All of the projects I have been part of have influenced my life in positive way, Chevron was the most significant as we started with 120 people, which grew to just under a thousand employees on the contract. I met great people, and I helped develop a lot of future managers for the UGL business.
“My role also involved educating, coaching, and mentoring our graduates. At one point, I had advised a General Manager that some of graduates in future would be great GM’s. The graduates have been a pleasure to work with, some have continued in their engineering role, others have progressed to engineering managers and while others have gone on to become project managers and general managers for UGL and other companies.”
What advice would you give someone who is starting at UGL?
“If you are willing to listen, learn and work hard, you can achieve anything.”
