Junior Cost Consultant Review

I am a junior cost consultant in the property S&W midlands team at Arcadis. I am involved in a number of schemes at a time where I typically provide support to the Quantity Surveyor or Employers Agent role. This includes several residential and commercial projects based across the we midlands.

I have learnt how to communicate well with clients and contractors and defend my clients position as and when applicable. My ability to provide advice to clients regarding commercial matters such as valuations, value engineering, relevant matters and events. My attention to detail has increased significantly and my negotiation skill have improved especially when negotiating with contractors.

I have enjoyed the majority of my 5 year apprenticeship. In particular, my job role has developed over the years to where now I feel comfortable with the progress I have made and can fill in several job roles on projects independently.

For the most part, the job related aspects of the programme is well organised. However, I do feel that there has always been a disconnect between with what I've learnt at university and what I'm doing at work. Furthermore, much of what I've learnt at university is fairly basic and some is not even applicable to my job role.

I have received an overwhelming amount of support from my employer. Every member of the cost and commercial team has provided me with advice and guidance and several learning opportunities on a regular basis which have improved my knowledge and skills as a Quantity Surveyor.

Although I feel that my skills coaches and contacts with my training provider have been quite good throughout my apprenticeship I do feel that the overall teaching has been lacking especially with regards to delivering lectures. Much of what was taught felt as if I did not even need to be in attendance to learn what needed to learnt to complete my modules.

This has varied between modules as some are far more applicable than others. For example, the quantification and costing module and contact practice module were not as beneficial as they were the last modules on my course by which point the information I was given for the most part I already knew so felt quite basic. At times it felt as if I didn't even need to be in attendance.

Yes, on a regular basis. I am involved in various social value and networking events on a regular basis. We have quarterly social value events which I participate in, a annual charity event and monthly socials events which I am in regular attendance of.

Yes

They are a very supportive employer who will over time give you the necessary projects and tasks to improve your knowledge and skills in your chosen field.

Make sure you are aware of what is required of you as an apprentice to complete your apprenticeship from the on set as many within my cohort did not anticipate how much was involved within the programme as we were not told initially.