Quantity Surveying Apprentice Review

Apprentice Quantity Surveyor currently working in the Rail for London (Infrastructure) Commercial team. Day-to-day, I largely undertake procurement activities (often via different procurement routes such as using frameworks, mini-competitions, requests for quotations, forecasting, price analysis, spend control and other contract management activities. My current role focusses on mainly pre-contract activities, with elements of post-contract work as well.

I have learnt many new skills. When I began my role at Transport for London, I knew very little about the Quantity Surveying role, or the construction industry for that matter. 1.5 years on, I am much more confident at undertaking procurement activities, writing professional procurement documents, and undertaking elements of contract management. My work at university and the experience I have gained at work have benefitted me hugely.

The Quantity Surveying programme at Transport for London is fantastic. Every 6 months I move to a different area of the business. I am currently working for Crossrail and I am able to see a range of different areas, attend conferences and meetings and gain a better understanding of the Quantity Surveying role and of the Crossrail project. Through the placement rotation system I have been able to see many business areas.

I find my programme very well structured. Attending university once a week helps you to understand the practicalities of the theory work you undertake in 'on site/real life conditions'. The programme, as mentioned above also allows apprentices to move to different business areas to gain a wide range of experience.

I receive a great amount of support from my employer, Transport for London. I have regular reviews with my placement manager, which changes on a placement by placement basis, and I regularly meet with my line manager to discuss my progress and set out a plan for what I need to work towards.

The training provider, London South Bank University, does provide a range of different support options. They offer drop in sessions for the course and post a whole range of resources on the online student portal site. These include notes from lectures which can be reviewed as part of exam revision.

At work, I learn about the real practicalities of work on the ground, but my university course allows me to reinforce my knowledge of the theory on which my day to day job is based. Understanding the theory helps me to perform better by having a more extensive knowledge of 'Quantity Surveyor functions' but also an appreciation for how sometimes, work in real life situations can be slightly different.

Transport for London has a whole range of apprenticeship schemes. Across these schemes a Graduate and Apprentice Scheme has been set up and they frequently promote networking, training and social events via email communications, along with site visits to Transport for London sites. London Underground also have a competitive football league, with each tube line having its own team.

Yes

Transport for London I feel is unique to any other (potentially smaller business) in that it allows you to move from placement to placement every 6 months. Whilst 6 months is only a short period of time, the amount of knowledge gained is huge and after a series of 6 month placements, I feel my knowledge is much stronger than if I had remained in a single business area.

Transport for London is a highly competitive employer. My best advice would be to demonstrate you can work collaboratively with other people, ensuring you get your point across but do not talk over the top of people, and encourage potentially naturally quieter people to get involved in the discussion.