Trainee Cost Consultant Review

Cost estimating of strategic infrastructure for large housebuilder clients. This consists of enabling works, S38 and S278 highways, public open space, fees for the project and pot abnormalities. As regulations change, other things need to be considered such as Part L & F regulations, adding a substantial amount of money per plot.

I have learnt many skills such as interpersonal and communication within my team and the wider business unit. Organisation is vital and it has enabled me to prioritise my workload alongside University work and APC training. I have also learnt how to manage a work/life balance to ensure I have free time also.

I thoroughly enjoy my programme. I learn a lot of University, however it is not always applicable to the day to day job role. Learning on the job has enabled me to grow as an individual and this has reflected on the enjoyment of my programme. Overall, it is the most beneficial way to go about learning on the job.

The programme at University is well structured, however in the workplace is can sometimes be disorganised with conflicting information provided to others across the business. My team is very well structured and we work very well and communicate together in order to send out our cost estimates to our clients.

My manager and mentor could not be more supportive of me going through University and APC. They understand when times are pressured with exam and coursework deadlines so they make sure that I am not overloaded with work at the same time. Overall, I feel very supported and I know where to find support if needed.

My University provides me with 1 2 1 degree apprenticeship tutor meetings alongside my line manager to ensure that I am on progress to hit a very good mark alongside ticking boxes for chartership. The University and work make sure we have the best work life balance we have to ensure we are not overloaded.

Through my University, my specific degree course is not relevant to my day job at all. My degree is very much buildings based whereas I work in strategic infrastructure in highways. This means I have to separate work and University as it is not applicable in the day job at all.

There are many events we can get involved in at work. For example, I am currently organising a young professionals networking event. We have many charity events that enables us to all get together with our families and do a variety of walks for our chosen charity, action for children.

Yes

I feel very included in the environment and thoroughly enjoy my day job. I find it very insightful and feel like when I do a new cost estimate, I learn something new each time. Doing my degree alongside work has provided me the best platform for the start of my career.

I would say be yourself for the interview and find your passion. Arcadis is very supportive in where you want to progress too and make sure this is clear in the interview. The assessment days do test you but they are informative and make you work with other people in a new environment.