Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review

Over the course of a month some of the tasks I am generally involved in is the process of procuring, dealing with and paying subcontractors, contributing to monthly Applications for Payments we send to our clients, transferring costs between projects as well as basic administration and attending weekly progress meetings which keep everyone on-site updated with the progress of our project. I have also helped in the process of taking-off site drawings as I am currently based on a new project. I have shadowed my line manager while completing some tasks I am not allowed to do as an apprentice, so you will fully experience everything a job as a qs involves.

As well as learning about my chosen career, the construction/civil engineering industry as a whole and gaining a lot of important relevant professional skills I have also developed a lot of skills which I can use in my personal life such as using Microsoft packages, as this is what we use to complete the majority of our work. Improving social skills from meeting a range of different people, working in different job roles, from different areas across the country. I have also completed courses surrounding mental health and how to stay healthy.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the programme so far, college block was a great experience in getting to study about my chosen career with other apprentices in a student city. My site placement has already given me a chance to make significant contributions to real life projects that affect real people and it is a great environment to work in.

The programme is structured really well, completing college in blocks separate to your site placement helps you to focus more on each aspect of the programme at once i.e. college work and work on site. Completing a college block before you start on-site also helped to give you a basic understand of your career and what it entails.

A lot of support is available from Bam if you need it, this will mostly be available from your own on-site project team or the apprenticeship team, if they are not able to help. If you have to live away from home you will receive a lot of support in doing this.

There is an unlimited amount of support available while working towards your qualifications at Leeds College of Building. All the lectures are happy to offer support at anytime if you require it, there is also a lot of resources available online or in the college library to help you complete your assignments.

They help a lot as they help you to understand the theory behind everything you do on-site. Depending on what project you are working on there may also be certain tasks and activities you may not get to experience, while at college you learn about everything surrounding your job role so you're not missing out on anything.

There is loads of extra-curricular activities you can get involved in while at college, such as sports teams and there is so much to do in Leeds as a whole while on college block. There are so many opportunities within the year to get involved in professional networking events both within the business and outside as well as volunteering and social events.

Yes

The apprenticeship programme is the perfect opportunity to build a career within the job roles they offer. You get paid to experience what it is like to make contributions to real life projects while developing real practical skills while also receiving the same qualifications and knowledge people go to university for.

Work experience is great to include on your cv. Let your passion for the industry come across during the process, it also shows great interest to do some research into bam, their values and their projects and perhaps look at some of the work they have undertaken within your local area if they have. Be talkative and collaborative in your interview and assessment centre and ask loads of questions!