Apprenticeships

Focus on construction quantity surveying apprenticeships

Everything you need to know about QS apprenticeships

INCREASINGLY employers are recruiting apprentices as well as, or even instead of, graduates and there are plenty of apprenticeships to choose from. With an apprenticeship, you are employed to do a job role while studying for a formal qualification, either for one day a week, or in blocks of a week or two at a time, at a college or training centre. By the end of the apprenticeship, apprentices will hopefully have gained the skills and knowledge needed to either succeed in their chosen career or progress onto the next apprenticeship level.

What apprentices learn depends on the job role, but apprentices in every role follow an approved study programme, gaining a nationally recognised qualification at the end of the apprenticeship. There are government rules on what an apprenticeship involves:

• The apprentice must be employed in a real job; they may be an existing employee or a new hire.
• The apprentice must work towards achieving an approved apprenticeship standard.
• The apprenticeship training must last at least 12 months.
• The apprentice must spend at least 20% of their time on off-the-job training.

Apprenticeships offer a funded pathway for the next generation of construction quantity surveyors to receive quality training, recognised by professional institutions. There are two related apprenticeships, the level 4 construction quantity surveying technician and the degree level 6 construction quantity surveyor. There are several training providers already for both apprenticeships and there is a call for industry and education to work together to develop further innovative solutions for training provision. The apprenticeship standards for Level 4 and Level 6, with full details of the content of the apprenticeships, are available on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website.

Information for potential apprentices

In order to take an apprenticeship, individuals need to be employed in a quantity surveying role. Apprenticeship employment opportunities are advertised on the government portal and also by individual employers.

Tammy Nolan, Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Balfour Beatty

Current project: Box Encapsulation Plant (Sellafield)

I have worked in the nuclear industry for the past 13 years, the last five-and-a-half with Balfour Beatty. My main duties have included providing QS support and contract administration. I’ve always been interested in furthering my qualifications and knowledge with a QS degree. A day release option wasn’t practical for me personally, so this apprenticeship is perfect for me. I am a mature student and must admit I was a little nervous at first as it has been over 25 years since I was involved in academic study. I have found that there was no need for me to be concerned. The apprenticeship is structured in a really good way. It has eased me back really well into the practice of studying. My workplace colleagues and university tutors are great to work with, and my fellow apprentices are always on hand to offer help, advice and support. I think the apprenticeship is great as it allows me to put what I am learning into practice. I believe I am gaining more doing it this way than a traditional classroom-led approach. I greatly value the support I receive from the team I work with, there are plenty of people at both work and university to ask for any help and advice.

I would definitely recommend the degree apprenticeship to others. 

Laura Purdy, Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, Balfour Beatty

 

Current project: A19 Norton to Wynyard

I joined Balfour Beatty in August 2020 and have since enjoyed working on the A19 Norton to Wynyard project. My day-to-day duties include subcontract management, completing and presenting the weekly CVR, and ensuring accurate payments to the labourers, amongst other things.

From my experience to date, I have decided that I would love to progress to a more senior level, and I view my degree apprenticeship as a first step to this. The apprenticeship combines working with learning and assessments. This works for me as I can apply my learning in the workplace.

I was a little nervous coming into the industry as I understood that construction could be a little high pressured. However, I have thrived. Coming from a full-time education background I have discovered that the working environment is where I succeed the most. On reflection, I have realised that a traditional university degree would not have given me the same experiences, challenges and sense of accomplishment that I feel every week at Balfour Beatty after learning something new.

As an apprentice, I am definitely gaining valuable experience and the team I work with certainly want me to do well, they give me the support I need to succeed. Without doubt, undertaking this apprenticeship has been the best decision I have made.

Teddy Laffar, Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, BAM Nuttall

First year apprentice quantity surveyor Teddy Laffar joined BAM’s level 4 programme at Leeds in October 2020.

How did you first become interested in a quantity surveying and an apprenticeship?

To be fair I was unsure of what to do, I’d looked at legal and accountancy careers but I knew I didn’t want to stay in full-time education after school. I did a bit of research and taking everything into consideration, thought quantity surveying would be a good fit. The apprenticeship gives me the best of everything – education, site and office work. Every day is different.

How did you apply for the programme?

I looked at a few programmes run by different companies and saw an advert for the programme on the RateMyApprenticehip website. I applied and BAM gave me my first invitation to interview. I was attracted to the programme by feedback from current apprentices and attended an assessment centre in London where I felt instantly at home. I met a few people on the day who I am now good friends with.

What has the academic element of the programme looked like so far?

We attended only one induction week in college in Leeds because of the COVID-19 restrictions, but that was good because we got to know each other well. The rest of the college block was taught remotely, but the teaching staff were excellent in finding ways to make this effective. I really enjoyed the individual project module which gave me freedom with my learning. I’ve also covered units in construction technology, science of materials and construction practice management which have helped me with my work on site.

…and what about your work placements?

I work in BAM’s Rail South Division on the contract package 6 (CP6) framework. At the moment I’m at the Hythe Street Underbridge project which is a bridge replacement scheme. I mainly work from the regional office, but visit site weekly. I’ve been responsible for procurement, payments, putting together applications and monthly reporting – more than I thought I would be at this stage. BAM makes time at work for me to carry out my learning which I review with my line manager and a work based learning coach from the college once a month. My progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for the apprenticeship is coming along nicely and I hope to progress through the academic gateway to my end point assessment this time next year.

Where do you see yourself in five years time?

I want to progress through the degree with BAM and gain CICES qualifications alongside the academic learning. I’d hope to be in a more senior position working on exciting projects, maybe still in rail, but I’ll see how things go.

What advice would you give to new apprentices?

Just be yourself and enjoy the opportunities. Make contacts with people as you go. I haven’t found anyone that hasn’t made the time to help me when I’ve needed it yet.

How would you describe quantity surveying to someone who didn’t know what a quantity surveyor does?

Well I certainly didn’t know when I first started looking to apply. It kind of brings together banking, accountancy and legal but in a team environment rather than working on your own. I also think it’s more of a practical career. You get a chance to be out and about which is great as I get bored quite easily and I haven’t found that yet.

What do you do in your spare time?

I’ve always played rugby and took up golf in lockdown as it was something I could do. I’m working on my handicap, but please don’t ask me about it at the moment!

Ben Pearson, Trainee QS, Henry Boot

 

Ben Pearson is a trainee quantity surveyor for Henry Boot’s construction division in Sheffield. Ben has just completed his BSc(Hons) quantity surveying (degree apprenticeship) at Sheffield Hallam University.

What inspired you to take up surveying?

My dad has always worked in construction, so I sometimes went to work with him, but I didn’t fancy a job ‘on the tools’ so he recommended quantity surveying. I saw a role advertised at Henry Boot which turned out to be a degree apprenticeship, so I started working for them.

What does your role entail?

I started off mainly procuring and managing subcontractors. As I’ve progressed in my role, I’ve been given more responsibilities and got involved with the financial management of projects undertaking cost-value reconciliations and forecasting subcontractors’ final accounts.​

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What are the benefits of studying for a degree apprenticeship?

I have developed a strong knowledge of the construction industry and being an apprentice has made me much more confident as I have been able to apply academic knowledge to real world projects. I have also developed an inquisitive mind which has in turn helped my work mentor to become a better quantity surveyor as it’s made him think more about his role. Questioning the way we work and do things everyday made us rethink a number of tasks and procedures and become more efficient.

How did you find balancing work and study?

A degree apprenticeship is not an easy option. At first, I found it hard to balance work and study. However, I really enjoyed learning skills through academic study that can be directly applied to my place of work. I also received a lot of support at Hallam from my academic adviser, work-based learning coach and my work mentor at Henry Boot. I really felt supported and able to address any issues straightaway, so they didn’t affect my progress.

What’s your favourite aspect of surveying?

Now I have completed my apprenticeship degree, I have a level of knowledge and confidence which means that I can work on different and higher value projects. I do like the contracts side of things so that’s something I’d be keen to look into.

What are your plans now you’ve completed your apprenticeship?

My next steps are to become professionally qualified, which the apprenticeship will enable me to do. I also now have the opportunity to develop further on one of Henry Boot’s flagship projects which is very exciting. I will be managing several high value subcontracts packages, leading on valuations and cost-value reconciliations.

Sheffield Hallam University