Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review

Procurement focussed role within Commercial Rail Operations. Procurement of materials for projects, contributing to forecasting and achieving value for money by conducting competitive tenders. Have also played a role in tender evaluation, writing single source justifications and contract award recommendations. The placement, which is mainly procurement focussed has been great at developing a basic understanding of how procurement for projects works at TfL.

I feel I have learnt a lot in a relatively short period of time. Whilst the placement is only 6 months long, I have gained an understanding of TfLs procurement process, writing contract awards, how to fairly evaluate tenders, how to invite contractors to tender, use RISQS, ProContract and Asite in tendering and contract management.

Deciding to continue my academic studies in the form of a Level 6 Apprenticeship for me was definitely the right choice over full time university study, and I enjoy what I do a lot. The main benefit for me is the ability to translate theory work into everyday work in the office.

Very well structured and organised. I feel there is clarity with how the program will progress over the 5 years, and all the senior people I report to are very helpful and keen to aid my professional development. It is clear who I must report to on a day to day basis, and on a yearly/weekly/quarterly basis.

Transport for London I feel are great at supporting their apprentices, and there are a number of various forums and committees set up to ensure feedback is heard and acted on. TfL itself offer many internal training courses and encourage their apprentices to attend external training sessions which could contribute towards continuing professional development.

London South Bank University have been keen to offer advice and help where possible with furthering my academic studies. The lecturers are quick to respond to email communication and help with various coursework assignments and in lecture learning where possible. The lectures are largely clear and beneficial to the module content as a whole.

The study of a Bsc Quantity Surveying degree and working at the same time allows me to understand how theoretical understanding is translated into the practicalities of everyday work. As I learn more at university, the day to day work becomes more understandable, especially where modules are directly related to my role, such as the law module and then contributions to the management of contracts at work.

There are plenty of apprentice networking and social events outside of working hours. Events have includes social events outside of working hours and networking events, (including speed networking) within TfL and all of its apprentices, but also other businesses within the industry. A recent networking event I attended was with Landsec, and it was interesting and useful to meet people further afield than just internal TfL employees.

Yes

I feel the TfL Level 6 apprenticeship scheme has and will continue to be of paramount importance to my professional development. The way the scheme is organised means that for the first 2 years the placements rotate every 6 months, and then for the last 3 years, year long placements, which I feel within such a large organisation gives me a broad and well rounded experience of the construction industry and some of the various roles within it.

Transport for London are keen to see how you can demonstrate their behaviours and competencies in your every day work within the organisation. They are keen to see how you can demonstrate this in your interview, and how you have demonstrated these in activates and work you have undertaken in the past.