Commercial Apprentice Review

In essence I am undertook the role of an Assistant Commercial Manager. To start with I completed admin tasks such as correspondence trackers, data management and filing. After a few months and shadowing a few Commercial Managers I began drafting commercial letters and reports for review by the Commercial Manager. After a year or so, I commercially managed two individual construction contracts - I complete the applications and certificates, commercial correspondence, I attend bi weekly meetings and am the lead point of contact. Throughout the two years I have also been trained with Oracle and ARM Risk Management to help assist with actions in both the systems.

I have developed great Excel skills and have broadened my knowledge hugely in how Excel works and what it can create. I have also became a more confident character, with those more senior members of the team allowing me to control my own contracts and assist me where necessary. I am also more professional and understand a lot more about communication and the means of this.

My programme has been very enjoyable and gave me great experience in my career path. I wanted to become a Quantity Surveyor but knew university was not for me, this programme has allowed me to gain the experience alongside the qualification and professional accreditation. I come in excited to work each day, with the hope to learn new things.

Thanks to the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) it was very well organised, I understood when my classes would be for my course and when deadlines would be. Due to the course being distance learning I did not feel I had constant support from my lecturers and sometimes felt a nuisance but both CSTT and my employer provided me with the support I required.

I received plenty of great support from my employer, they provided me not only with formal educational learning sessions but also professional training sessions. This allowed me to learn key skills for the professional environment which was brilliant for a young aspiring career. Although this was only for the first year - it would have been beneficial to continue sessions like this throughout the course duration.

Chartered Surveyors Training Trust were brilliant in providing support throughout the entire programme, from prior to enrolling to receiving my results they were always around to help. Whether it was assistance on the course, with my professional accreditation or just general enquiries they were full of advice and there to listen. They really supported me through my Associate RICS submission which allowed me to pass the accreditation first time round.

The qualification complimented my role - it gave me a greater understanding of work I was involved in, especially with aspects such as contracts and procurement. Some of the qualification such as Quantification made me realise there were other aspects to Quantity Surveying I wished to pursue, this then initiated my desire to learn more about it.

There were not many extra-curricular activities available - I did attend multiple professional networking events which really benefited me as I was able to meet young professionals like myself within different businesses. This helped me greatly as it gave me contact information of those within different built environment sectors who were willing to help me with queries surrounding there sector.

Yes

Network Rail have provided me with a two year apprenticeship programme which gave me a professional body accreditation, a level three qualification and a gateway to my career. They have been brilliant in providing me with the necessary exposure to my career and providing me with the support I needed.

If you ever get the opportunity to pursue a role at Network Rail, do it. They have so many opportunities and even if the role you first apply for is not for you, they are extremely accommodating in providing you with alternatives. They provide you with great professional and academic training for your future career.