Trainee Cost Consultant Review

My role as a trainee apprentice quantity surveyor is assisting with the live projects in office, helping me to learn the industry and gain valuable work experience. My daily tasks may involve measuring building, creating take-offs, benchmarking and finalizing colleagues documentation so it's ready to go out to clients. I have had the opportunity to visit several construction sites across London and the South region, and as I begin to take on my own projects, I will be required to visit site on a regular basis. The work is varied and interesting as the projects are very unique, from new build high-tech scientific facilities, to renovation of old listed structures which provide very different challenges to overcome.

Teamwork: The role heavily relies on great communication and the ability to share information effectively, as often, several colleagues will be working on the same project at a time. Construction tech knowledge: My knowledge of buildings and the construction process has expanded hugely since beginning the apprenticeship, as it is the basis of what the job involves. Mace has given me regular training sessions in London to help me with this, and my University courses have been invaluable in allowing me to learn this so quickly also. Everything else: I feel that I have learnt so much over the apprenticeship so far. You often don't realize it until you look back to what you knew before you began. I came into the programme with no prior construction experience or knowledge of the industry/role. Now however, I feel that I have a general understanding of the documents, processes and procedures that must take place to complete a project. I know how to read drawings, measure them, and create cost plan's from this information. The learning will still continue at a steep rate in the coming months/years I'm sure.

Overall, I do enjoy the programme, especially compared to school/college. Although there are up's and down's, as not all work will be incredibly interesting at first, I have overall found the experience to be a positive and enjoyable one. The site visits are a highlight!

I feel that Mace has invested lots of time and expense into inducting me into the business effectively. They provide regular opportunities to review my progress and discuss ways of getting more out of the program. All colleagues have been willing and eager to help me in any way they can. My monthly training sessions in London often involve visits to large and very interesting sites such as Battersea Power Station or The Shard Place, which shows me they are willing to organize big trips just in the interest of helping us learn and enjoy the industry/projects.

Although I am among the first set of regional apprentices that Mace has taken on (apprentices outside of the London region), the programme still seems very organized and structured for the most part. The structure of the next year has been explained to me at initial induction in terms of reviews, objectives and training etc. With regards to work in the office, this has no structure as I assist with whatever currently needs to be done which means jumping between various projects which are each at different stages. The University of Portsmouth is less organized as I am among the first ever group of degree apprentices and therefore they are continually making changes and asking for our advice on ways to improve the course.

The University of Portsmouth seems very willing to support me most of the time. Some staff have been less willing to offer assistance on some occasions, but my Tutor has helped me on multiple instances with various problems. Staff reply to emails promptly, providing me with any required assistance.

I can ask anyone in the office for support and they always offer to help, or if busy, suggest a time when they are available to help. I also have the ability to message any of the team in London who organize the apprenticeships with any general questions about the programme.

My costs currently are very low, so the wage is a bonus. The wage is quite good, but once you consider that the degree is being paid for by Mace/the government, it becomes a very generous package. Mace also pay for my travel to Portsmouth for university weekly and any travel to London for training. The location in Winchester means its very easy to get to most places via public transport. Parking is more tricky, therefore I catch the train to work instead. The other benefits included with the role are also very good compared with most other companies.

There are a few opportunities outside of work for social activities etc, however most activities involve going to London, therefore I haven't taken part in many of them. Each employee also gets a day for volunteering annually.

Yes

Mace are a successful company which I think provide a good platform for building a career. The fact they are a relatively large global company mean there are many resources and lots of experience within the business to provide new starters with help. They also offer many opportunities for career progression or change, such as working abroad.

I would recommend others not to be worried or frightened going into interviews or assessment days, as Mace had the best application process of any company I applied too, and the staff were all very friendly. I would recommend applicants to express their interest in the business/industry sector as much as possible, rather than focusing too much on school grades and the like. Don't apply if you don't have an interest in the industry, as the work will probably be boring if this is the case. Just try and get through the application process successfully, because that process is never fun. It gets a lot better after that!