Surveyor Review

My role is a Quantity Surveyor. On a day to do basis I am involved in cost checking, forecasting and value management in relation to the new build of 7 New Schools. I split my time between an office and site. I usually go to site to valuate sub-contractors work and check site progress. I am currently heavily involved in procurement as well as dipping into other smaller jobs.

Yes, I have been exposed to a lot of new skills. The company itself is pushing its digital engineering capability so I have been on several internal courses which aim to implement digital engineering software into the commercial aspect of construction. Although I did have prior experience in construction (Electrical Installation), however, I have much improved my Mechanical Knowledge as well as general construction. I have also developed further analytical skills and writing skills from my day release accredited degree course.

I really enjoy my programme as it not only develops my skills in my specific field but also develops my personal skills and runs internal training courses to that effect. I also have a great relationship with my team. As I work in the MEP arm of Laing O'Rourke, we have quite a small team which certainly makes my work more accurate as I have close contact with the M&E Engineers. I also have a good relationship with everyone working on my project, this again makes my role easier as LOR's one team approach allows all elements of the business to aid eachother.

Very, I have quarterly reviews with my line manager and identify my strengths, thing I need to improve and things I could do/need to do to progress in my career. LOR definitely look after and nurture their employees, my degree is being funded by LOR and they respect my workload and give me 3 days study leave a year. Overall i feel very valued by the company.

The programme is very well structured. All the information of any upcoming developmental events is available on the companies intranet. I know exactly when I should be reviewing my performance or getting reviewed. I know the dates of any training months in advance and I receive endless support from my line manager(s) and have a constant work flow so I know exactly what I'm doing, when and where.

My provider gives me as much support as I ask for, as I attend university, a lot of the responsibility is down to me. Although I have at lease 7 contact hours a week, it is my responsibility to review any content myself out of work/university hours. The training provided is not a reflection on the programme, as the candidate has to choose and gain entry to an accredited university of their choice.

I haven't had any problems at work as of yet, but I know that if I do the support is there. There are many routes I could take to seek support from either internal or external sources. There are many steps to take, everything you need to know can be found on the companies intranet and if you need further assistance or support, there are clear instructions about who to contact and how they can assist you.

As the project I currently work on demands me to be away from home throughout the week, LOR cover my living costs which Is a brilliant perk for anyone interested in working away/traveling. They also cover any business mileage or travel costs. As well as this, if the company need you to attend any meetings or events away from home or your temporary project accommodation, you can book a Premier in through an internal system if necessary. The salary is very fair and can rise every year depending on performance. The overall package is a no brainer in comparison to the costs and risk of a full time university degree. Although you do get the option for a company car in your 3rd/4th year of the course, I believe that they should be available after any probation period as some roles do involve a lot of travel.

I have been involved in a recruitment open evening where I was there to help potential applications and aid them in any queries they had. I have also been to a local college for the same reason. Our project has a 7aside football match every Wednesday and once a month my team gets together outside of work. I think that a couple more events could be given and on offer but overall there are at least some to get involved with!

Yes

I would recommend LOR to a friend as they are a very supportive, friendly and staff driven company. Not to mention they are excelling in their field of offsite manufacturing, digital engineering and modular construction. They are an exciting, evolutionary company to be a part of and would recommend LOR to anyone interested in a career in construction.

The application process isn't easy, but it isn't difficult. You definitely need do research on the company as well as research on your favored role. The interviewer will definitely put a red cross through your application if you can't describe why you want to do the role you've applied for and give some detail about the role. Obviously you aren't expected to know the role inside out, but you should be able to briefly describe the role. As well as this, the assessment days focus on different parts of your personality, with team tasks as well as individual and presentation tasks. During these I would advise being yourself, being polite and asking as many questions as you can about the company and how you could progress. If you are applying straight from school or college, I would highly recommend spending your summer holidays laboring for a construction company or something similar as a background, however limited in construction will definitely aid you in your role. It may be beneficial to enquire about shadowing a role your interested in.