Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship Review

My role in the company continuously evolves as I continue to learn each day with new responsibilities and various new challenges are presented to me on a daily basis. This includes; managing timesheets, subcontract comparisons, procurement, subcontract payments and assisting senior management. Time is also allowed for me to complete work towards my academic qualifications.

I have learned a lot of valuable life skills that are difficult to summarise. This apprenticeship has encouraged me to become much more independent in everything, encouraged me to develop professional relationships with colleagues and taught me how to manage my time effectively to complete all tasks required of me.

I feel lucky for the experience that this apprenticeship has managed to offer me after only 6 months with the company. I enjoy my day to day work and I am excited for the opportunities that this apprenticeship can offer me in the future. I do not believe there is anything better out there that would allow me to gain a high level of qualification whilst allowing me to gain valuable work experience.

The programme is far superior to the alternatives in terms of organization with a dedicated apprenticeship team and college blocks that focus on academic progress and placement blocks that focus on professional development. Even the long distance learning we do whilst away from college is structured with deadlines and timelines still in place as they would be if we were on our college blocks.

I feel as though any additional support I need would be provided without hesitation from my colleagues, other apprentices and the dedicated apprenticeship team. I also receive support in the form of a competitive salary, and expenses such as travel paid for which removes the negatives of living away as I can travel home each weekend at no cost to me with this travelling being done in work time maximising my time with friends and family.

Even though I am currently on my work placement and do not attend the college at this time, we still receive a lot of support from the tutors with regards to the long distance learning we do whilst away from college. Whilst at college this is obviously a given too.

With no prior experience in the construction industry before I started my apprenticeship, the qualifications we worked towards help lay a foundation for my work placement giving me a good basic knowledge of the industry beforehand. This helps me learn much faster whilst at work as the foundations are there. I also feel as though it has given me a better understanding of the things I learn at work.

On my particular placement there is opportunities to get involved in sports such as football with colleagues. There is also gym facilities and a table tennis room. The company also does a year "roadshow" which allows for an opportunity to meet important people within the company and allows for a better knowledge/understanding of what's going on within the business and also the industry as a whole.

Yes

I would recommend BAM Nuttall to both friends and family for all the reasons above and also for the positive attitude towards everything at BAM. This along with the competitive salary, feeling of community within BAM, support from colleagues, and also varied work sectors that BAM allow you to experience working within such as Rail, Highways, Aviation, Major Civils and Earthworks.

I would advise anyone applying to BAM Nuttall to be open-minded and also consider the possibility that you may be asked to move away from home even if you haven't specifically requested this (you will be well supported either way!). Based on my own experience with the application process it is certainly worth applying and giving it your best shot even if you are worried about how you will perform in your interview as the interview process is done in groups before the 1-1 which made me personally feel more relaxed about the process and allowed me to best represent myself as a prospective apprentice.