Assistant Cost Consultant Review

Day to day role includes carrying out monthly valuations on site; preparing the paperwork for payment; preparing monthly cost reports; reviewing changes put through by contractors; preparing cost plans. Often stretched across three or four projects.

Have developed skills of preparing valuations, speaking to clients, having confidence to present.

Although I enjoy the learning side of things, no one really prepares you for how difficult it is working and studying at the same time. Colleagues seem to forget that you are studying on your study leave day and will expect you to work. This makes the programme less desirable

The degree part is organised however the support for chartership isnt as good. There has been conflicting information passed between the university and work as to what is required to charter and no consistency. Additionally, it seems that you have to complete two sets of documents of the same information but in different formats to satisfy the university and to satisfy RICS. This means doubling up on work.

I get support from my employer and early learning team. However, colleagues often question the study day and have asked to move it in the past. My pathway means I have to go into university on a specified day as per the uni requirements and so can't move it and have to remind colleagues of this. This is not supportive to my learning. Additionally, more senior members of staff who are teaching me, are stretched themselves so often they they are unable to give me the time to teach me what exactly is happening on the project.

I receive support but have often received conflicting information from different skills assessors about what is required for the end point assessment. This has made it confusing and I've found I've had to double up on the same work.

I feel what I have learned through the training provider has provided the theory to the work I complete in my role. However, I have found in some instances that what was being taught by the training provider was not how any work was complete in my role.

I attend professional networking events but there are ones I find myself. I am involved in organising social events in my team.

No

Although a Quantity Surveying degree apprenticeship is great, at Arcadis you are put onto a framework that means you can not get any pay rises or inflationary adjustments. This is extremely frustrating as more often than not, I have been completing work way above my current level but not rewarded fairly for it. I have often also been told that the pay at Arcadis is competitive but having done some research, I don't believe it is competitive.

Although the apprentice is a great way of become qualified and having a company like Arcadis will open further doors in your career. But be wary of the fact that you will often be thrown into the deep end while still learning.