Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review

I am an apprentice Quantity Surveyor for BAM Nuttall. I have been working from home since I began so have completed my training via Teams. My day to day tasks now include processing payments and raising orders for subcontractors and attending progress meetings with team members who are on site.

I will have achieved a HNC once my apprenticeship is complete and from my first year college experience, I learnt so much about the industry that I have no prior experience in. WFH it has also been super helpful to attend online webinars and all training courses BAM has offered.

I am very much enjoying my apprenticeship and know it will be even better once I am able to work from the office and attend site. Being new to the industry, I have loved being exposed to so many new experiences and broadening my knowledge, whilst working towards a qualification.

My college induction and week away in Leeds was brilliant and very well organised. I got to meet and form friendships with my fellow apprentices, which has been so helpful while working from home. I am in contact with my college assessor monthly to track my progress.

I have biweekly meetings with my line manager to track my experience and collection of evidence for my apprenticeship, which is helpful. I was also encouraged to form a mentor relationship within the company which is great to receive another perspective as a new starter.

I have monthly meetings with my college assessor to assess my progress and ensure I am on track to achieve my qualification. My apprenticeship managers have also been in contact to hear feedback from us all. It has been difficult working from home, but I know they are an email way.

My first year college knowledge has definitely aided my background understanding into my new role and industry, however I believe that year 2 is more QS focused to aid my specific role understanding.

Due to the pandemic lockdowns I have not been able to attend any social meetups. However, I have been involved in an 'Enhancing Lives' scheme with fellow apprentices, remotely. This enabled me to write letter to NHS key workers and care home residents, which I would not have done without the scheme.

Yes

BAM provide training at an amazing construction college, which I thoroughly enjoyed and look forward to returning to for second year. The fact that it is in a block allows you to fully focus on your education prior to beginning the work placement, which isn't very common for apprenticeships.

Be confident and innovative at the assessment day interview and be ready to work in a team, it isn't as nerve-racking as it looks.