Trainee Quantity Surveyor Review

I am a trainee quantity surveyor. My daily tasks involve measuring quantities, getting quotes from subcontractors for the works and checking quants. This involves interacting with other site team and also the external parties. I am currently learning how a job is won which helps understand where the costs have come when working and paying subcontractors on site.

I have developed almost all skills possible in some sort of way. I have developed confidence in my people, telephone, emails and letter writing skills all through practise using all elements almost everyday. Creating excel sheets is definitely a new skill I have been able to both learn new and develop as I use the software and put it to more use than I thought was possible.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. Both the practical on the job work and the uni course are both as enjoyable as each other. UCEM make the distant learning online simple and light hearted not pushing too much stress on top of my everyday tasks I complete at work 4 days a week. The job its self has a good work environment.

I feel as if, no matter what level you are in the company for example myself being an apprentice I would be considered lower down in the hierarchy, you would never feel like you are in that sort of order. everyone is as respectful as you would be to someone who has more importance and there is no strict barrier of importance.

I think my programme is very well structured. Task that are to be completed have been split into weeks which has a decent amount of hours involved in them which is doable. I get a day release from work to complete the work. Although, I feel that the work provided in each week takes longer than the day release provided and I find myself working extra on evenings and weekends etc.

Meetings are held every couple of months with an academic advisor to monitor and review our progress of assignments and the weekly tasks that are set. These meetings are helpful and it makes the course feel less distant. If I ever need any help or advice urgently I can call the same person and I am directed in the correct direction straight away.

My line manager and people who have more direct contact with the uni send us a email or chat to us about how the course is going. The site team also like to check up, even if they have no link or relevance to helping me on the course, they are still willing to help on anything I am stuck on and advise what is best to do when I find myself in a difficult situation.

The salary meets my costs effectively and my expenses of travel are paid when I am away from the head office which also helps managing money and ensuring I am not loosing out through my travel to work and my money can be spent elsewhere. Salary also increases due to inflation each year which helps match the price/quality of living.

There are many opportunities to socialise outside of work where we might so something fun as a team as part of team building. charity events are also advertised that may take place on a weekend and you can be as involved as you please to be. Networking events are also advertised and passed around through emails to make us aware of what is going on elsewhere in the area.

Yes

I would recommend John Sisk & Son to a friend because you are well looked after within the company. There are many different divisions to explore such as civil, residential, pharmaceuticals, and many more, opening up a lot of opportunity for learning, developing skills in all areas and gaining more knowledge. All the divisions work along side each other and are not completely separate making it easier to learn while doing the uni course at UCEM when there is a lot of people provided when it may be needed.

The application process is fairly straight forward with a couple of online tests to complete, which I would advise doing the provided practise questions as they are not your normal maths/English tests you may get at school, there is more common sense brought into the questions which relate to real life. Just be yourself in the interview but ensure to show you have a passion for the built environment. Make sure to look at your emails often as they are constantly updating you via email and if you don't check, you may miss deadlines which might ruin your chance of getting in.There is also opportunities to work abroad with frequent flights home, this is something unique to other companies and something they may not offer. An apprenticeship is a very fun way of learning and working, it can be difficult managing the two but it very rewarding and prepares you for real life and future roles and challenges.