Trainee Quantity Surveyor Review

As a Quantity Surveyor, it is my job to manage the cost vs value throughout a project making sure the actual expenditure matches what is previously forecast to ensure maxim profit can be earned. I engage with many other people within the business such as Project Managers, Project Engineers, Design coordinators and also our clients.

As a Degree Apprentice it means you can learn both on-the-job and off-the-job, I am not only on the road to earning a degree qualification after completion of my Uni course but I also learn tricks of the trade from my colleagues and develop essential real-life working skills, which can't be taught in a classroom, as well as going on many external training courses all paid for by my company which again aren't offered at Uni.

I love what I do; my job role and responsibilities, my colleagues and the relationships and support I have developed/gained from them, the mixture of on- the-job and off-the job training, which makes learning really meaningful and engaging, and also the fact that I get paid to learn and will not incur any student debt like the majority of my friends will at Uni.

I would say my programme is very structured as I know what the pathway between now and me becoming qualified looks like. I have settled into both work and Uni very well and I feel like the support I receive of both my teachers, friends at Uni and colleagues is more than adequate.

I would say I get on with the majority of my colleagues and I am really lucky to have a really good Line Manager who I feel really cares for my well being and progression within my role at work. I am really supported by everyone and I know if I have any question, no matter how silly I may think it is, there will always be someone there to help me!

As a student on a Part-time course at Uni, I do sometimes feel like the support of the lectures in naturally less than that given to the full-time students as they obviously don't get any other support or learning compared to us students who are working. This said, my lecturers are always available and responsive over emails and the Course Leader is also really helpful if I have any further or unanswered queries.

Without my knowledge from my Uni course, I would naturally find my day to day role a lot harder as I would not have as much background knowledge to apply to my role. Learning alongside of working does mean however that I can apply what I have been taught at Uni to my role which strengthens my knowledge and clarifies my understanding.

Within the business I work for, there are many opportunities given for Apprenticeships all across the business to network and engage in social activities and Apprentice days previously hosted in London. We also have multiple chances to complete a Gold D.O.E course with other Apprentices if we wish and also to compete together in a business wide challenge for Apprentices hosted by the Brathay Trust

Yes

I attended multiple interviews before my interview at Balfour Beatty, and as soon as I arrived at the office I instantly felt that the atmosphere of the workplace and the employees were really friendly and it was somewhere I could see me feeling instantly comfortable and settling in well compared to the other companies I had attended previous interviews with. I was offered two jobs and on this basis I chose Balfour Beatty over the other offer and I am so glad I did. All my first impressions turned out to be even better than I first thought!

I would advise anyone who is thinking of applying to Balfour Beatty to go for it as they will not be disappointed by the opportunities available, support received and the positive stance Balfour Beatty as a company has. I applied for my position here on the Gov.uk website and was offered an interview after successfully completing a series of cognitive tests online. At interview stage I would just advise to be well prepared and enthusiastic, as I feel this was advise I was given and I come away feeling like I had a successful interview.