Level 6 Chartered Valuation Surveyor Apprentice Review

The apprenticeship rotated me through several different departments to provide the experience for the Assessment of Professional Competency, run by the RCIS. I have inspected and valued various different properties and completed casework for the Non-Domestic Rating List and Other Public Bodies.

I have learnt how to inspect commercial properties and then value them. I learnt how to adjust and analyse rents to produce a table of comparables. I have learnt how to value domestic properties, public houses and Doctors Surgeries. I have also learnt how to assess compensation for road schemes.

Working 30 hours weekly while completing 15 hours of weekly learning, on top of 2000/3000 word assignments, was challenging and stressful. I enjoyed most academic topics and most internal departments I've worked in. My programme was actually a Level 7 Masters which you should add to your options.

The academic side was well structured although some modules were better run than others. Assignment deadlines were initially too close together. Departmental rotation was ok but sometimes training was not provided at the right time, and occasionally there was a shortage of the type of work I needed.

Throughout the academic course I got one day a week off work for my studies. Most managers allowed me to banked unused study days, which I would not have survived without. However that may no longer be allowed. Some managers lack understanding about the pressures of the apprenticeship.

I was assigned an Apprenticeship Outcome Office who I met (virtually) every couple of months. This continued after the academic course has ended in the run up to the APC (end point assessment)

It is more about gaining chartership to become a Valuation Surveyor. So I have not yet worked in the role this apprenticeship is preparing me for. But, between the Masters in Real Estate and exposure to different areas of the business, I will be well prepared.

There are occasional social events and there's the opportunity to get involved in sports on a local and regional level. A couple of member of staff are closely linked to a local professional network and I have joined some of their events.

Yes

It is a fairly relaxed working environment, compared to other government departments I've worked in. The apprenticeships are fully funded by the VOA and give you a professional qualification that is held in high regard.

Be prepared to work hard and become an expert at time management if you join a degree or masters apprenticeship (the VOA calls them both level 6 for some reason). An interest in property is vital and you'll be asked to present an interesting property to the recruitment panel.