Higher Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review

Assisting Senior Quantity surveyors on a number of civil routine schemes. Responsibilities include taking off, forecasting and managing several schemes.

Working towards a quantity surveying degree as well as on the job training. Have developed skills in communication, IT skills, management and organisation. New skills include knowledge of civil engineering, the construction industry and standard contracts.

Tarmac has a brilliant company culture. I get on well with my team and I enjoy the work. The only challenge is balancing doing both the degree and working full time as well.

It isn't overly structured which I prefer as it means I can learn on the job rather than endless shadowing. It also allows for me to take on more responsibility. I get sent to uni on day release but outside of that I am one of the team.

I have felt very supported and have been given so many opportunities to progress, such as the Future leaders programme and core development skills workshops that 'non apprentice' employees don't get. I also have a line manager, a buddy and a mentor to support my development.

The uni I go to has a mixed standard of tutors depending on which modules you do. Some are great and some seem less experienced. Overall enjoy my degree however if the class sized were a bit smaller the tutors would have more time to help each student with questions.

The year 1 modules aren't helpful in my day to day role (although it was interesting) as it was mixed classes with engineers and architects but as you progress through, it becomes more focused on quantity surveying.

I have been invited to some professional networking events however as the demographic of the office is predominantly older males, there isn't many shared interests that I would have with my colleagues.

Yes

Good benefits and salary, lots of investment in their young talent and room for progression. Having worked for some larger and smaller businesses before I joined here I can guarantee that Tarmac is one of the best employers. They put safety above all which is important to me too.

All offices are different and another QS may have had a different experience based on their office's culture. The interview stage involved having to do a presentation and some Q&A.