Trainee Quantity Surveyor Review

I am a Trainee Quantity Surveyor for John Sisk on a Civils job in White City, London, building 2 new bridges and refurbishing an existing bridge. My main daily tasks are assessing application for Payment from subcontractor and monitoring their works through out the process to ensure an accurate assessment. I interact daily with the other teams in the office, such as the engineers and the people working on site to ensure I have the best knowledge to complete my works. Externally, I have meetings with subcontractors after they have priced a Bill of Quantities that I would have produced for a handful of subbies to price, and this way I can get more of a feel of what the subbie will be like to work with. I form contracts for the works needed on site providing as much information and coverage as possible.

I have developed my communication skills in both written and spoken word. I've been given a work phone which has enable me to become more independent and make my own decisions over the phone, this has also helped me know what's right to say at the right time. Through written communication, I am constantly sending emails every day which over time has improved in the language I use which I have picked up from reading emails from staff with a higher position and elders to myself. I have been put on a Manual Handling course which is helpful information to know when lifting and carrying objects to prevent accidents. I also completed my CSCS training which enables me to go on site safely and I can point out any hazards that I may see.

I thoroughly enjoy the programme I am on. In the office there is multiple different subcontractors working for the client, however, Sisk take up most with about 12-14 people at any one time. The team Sisk have on this job work well together and always ensure each people is in the loop with what is going on. Issues are circulated through emails. I have found that even the engineers, who don't have much knowledge of the works a Quantity Surveyor does, will always try to help out, especially in the beginning when I had little knowledge. I had previously been to work with my family relatives who also work within construction so I had a fair idea of what the atmosphere was like and what kind of people I would come across.

Since I am at the lowest level within the company with the least knowledge, I fail to see a difference in the way I am treated in comparison to how someone who has been doing their job for multiple years is treated. I don't get looked down upon and I am given a reasonable amount of expectations due to my level. The Project Manager on the job is very friendly and communicates well to get his point across. I get praised often by people inside the company and no work goes unrecognised. The QS on the job and other others in the office ensure I am involved in the works and am kept in the loop with the works.

The programme is well structured. If I require any training, it is easyily requested and sorted within a short amount of time. HR and all the members of the team in the office are supportive of my study and always try to enhance my learning and offer their help. I get the day release for study every week without fail and working from home is an option if I have a lot to do and need the space and quiet to do it. Myself and the other apprentices on the programme meet every couple of months to discuss how the apprenticeship is going and to clear anything we are unsure about as sometimes we feel more comfortable asking each other to clarify some items that have been told before and need clearing up. This is also very useful when struggling with the content of the Uni work so sharing our knowledge is very effective.

I get regular emails from the Apprenticeship Coordinator advising and sending reminders for work we need to complete or look at. I also have meetings with her every 3/4 months to check on my progress and how I am doing in both the study and the job itself. If I have any issues, she is a great help in guiding me in the righ direction or providing me with the correct information that I require. Within each topic I learn, there is one main tutor who leads the webinars for the 100s of students who watch online, but we are then split into groups of about 20/30 with a tutor designated for us which makes them more accessible by email or telephone. It never seems like it is an effort to help us and all the staff are supportive at all times. I feel the distance learning thing is a bit of a barrier and a bit restricting but I have grown to become used to this idea since it is very different from being at school/college or a normal uni where you can speak to someone face to face and its a bit more interactive.

Everyone in the company is very supportive no matter what their role is. People will regularly ask how I am getting on with the study and how I am finding the work environment. HR are always open for questions and answer with correct direction and help. Any problems I may have, I do not find there is a barrier preventing me asking for help as all my colleagues are welcoming and supportive no matter what they are doing or who they are.

My salary meets my costs well. I earn enough to save and also spend socially, provide food and living. I am lucky to get my travel paid for to and from work. If I require an overnight stay for work purposes, this is also covered by the company. I am based in London and I feel my salary, for someone who is training is fair.

There are many benefits that come with working with the company. All that are easily accessible through the company intranet. While working on site, we try to arrange a site night out once we have reach a mile stone in the project or roughly every 3/4 months. We also try to arrange evening actives to take part in which are circulated by emails to make sure no one is left out. Each month Sisk have a different theme and emails and webinars are available to fill our knowledge, there is often activities we can take place in in relation to the themes. If you are part of team or have been committing to something before the job, they are lenient in letting you continue even if it means you may finish a slight bit earlier. This makes sure we have a good work life balance.

Yes

John Sisk is a family run business and this is portrayed through all the acts and services they provide to their staff and while they are working with subcontractors or in partnership with another company. They value their traits and are definitely shown throughout. Everyone is welcoming and I am yet to come across a member of staff with a bad attitude. No matter what level you are in the company everyone is treated equally which makes working a nice place to be and enjoyable.

The more approachable you are the better. Working in this industry involves a lot of communication and building relationships. In the interview confidence would be great to show because it shows you are able to communicate easily. For me, I little knowledge in construction, so it wasn't all that important since some say you are paid to learn because you almost always learn something new everyday. The apprenticeship is there to train you up and provide you with the knowledge you didn't have previously. Doing and apprenticeship with John Sisk is a great opportunity as you are getting very well trained from staff on the job and also more help from the training provider fill you with all the knowledge you need and more. Being open minded and not having many expectations would be the way to go when you start since every job is different. I would like to have been told a clearer structure of the apprenticeship in the interview and the onboarding process but it didn't take long for this to become clear once I had started.