Commercial Assistant Review

My role is either as a Cost Consultant or a Commercial Manager. Currently it includes creation of cost plans for potential developments including Measurement and pricing of building elements. When on site as a commercial manager it was mainly management of subcontractors; including valuing the works they have completed and pricing variations.

I have definitely learnt new skills whilst completing my apprenticeship at Mace. Key skills would include team working and confidence. Before starting here I was very quiet and didn't like to speak up in a group environment. Aside from team working I've also learnt skills to work independently and as my knowledge has grown I've been able to complete tasks on my own.

I enjoy the programme at Mace. The apprenticeship I started in 2016 allows me to rotate around the business. This means working as both a Commercial manager on site and as a Cost Consultant in Head office. This has been enjoyable as I've been able to see other parts of the business and I can feel confident and happy when I choose my final role.

The scheme at Mace is very structured and organized. HR have organized a training programme which allows us to learn key skills both soft and technical. Examples of this would be having training on Contracts, followed by a training on presentation skills as they see this as equally important. HR take our feedback and try to implement training that we think we need.

We receive a lot of support from our employer. We have 6 monthly reviews with HR and we also have reviews with our internal assessor for which we complete a portfolio of our progress against RICS competencies. We all have frequent sit downs with our line manager which is our opportunity to voice any concerns.

We do not receive very much support from our training provider as part time students. I personally, do not know who my point of contact at uni would be if I required any support. We go to our lectures, but aside from that the university doesn't really help us out.

our qualification is very valuable to us as we need the knowledge and the qualification to carry out our APC. However, lectures aren't that great, so more often than not we depend on the lecture notes to help us learn. I believe we learn more at Mace in house training which is more valuable than that which we learn at uni.

I believe that there are social opportunities and clubs at Mace, but I do not know of these. however, we do have regular networking events that are put on by Mace as an opportunity to hear from the board and be updated; that are followed by networking drinks after to allow us to speak to colleagues that we wouldn't normally see.

Yes

I would recommend Mace apprenticeships due to the large support system that we have at work. the in house training that mace produce and that is led by senior members of the team that we often work with is extremely valuable. Its real life skills above and beyond that which we would learn at university.

I would recommend that they try and get some work experience in this field or at least really understand the job role and seem passionate about it. even if you may not have the highest grades or the most relevant work experience as long as you sound eager and interested to learn you will be in with a good chance.