Commercial Assistant Review

Commercial managers are predominantly based on site and the role covers all financial aspects of a project, from bidding for work through to the close out of final accounts when the project is completed. This involves procurement of works and subsequent management of costs through the design and construction phase.

Since I joined Mace, I have gone from not knowing where to start when looking at a construction drawing, to now being able to comprehend what it actually is. I have developed my teamwork and communication skills which helps on a day to day basis, when dealing with colleagues and other people associated with the project such as the design team or the PQS. I have been able to develop my negotiation skills when dealing with subcontractors who are tendering for works on the project I am working on.

I highly enjoy the Mace apprenticeship programme. It provides me with an opportunity to learn and attend university, gaining my degree, whilst working at the same time. This allows me to develop the knowledge I am learning on an academic basis, and then apply this to my job on a day to day basis. Another benefit of this is it allows you to earn a salary at the same time, rather than going to university and having to get a part time job.

The programme is structured well. You are based on site, on an active Mace project for four days a week, whilst attending university one day a week. This provides you enough time to attend university and do your studies, whilst then going to work and applying your trade. The university timetable is planned well in the way that you are not overloaded with exams or coursework all of the time. This then allows you to do your day job without the stress and worry of exams looming over your head. When the time does come around to do the exams and/or coursework, it puts the pressure of having to manage the two together. However, if done successfully, this will develop your time management, which will prove to be invaluable as you progress in your career.

My line manager and the rest of the team around me on my project provide me with the necessary support I require both professionally and academically. If I have any questions, there will be at least one person who will be able to help me out and provide a solution for me if I have a problem. This environment is good because it provides me with the opportunity to develop all the necessary skills that I will require as I progress.

In all honesty, the training provider offer very little support when it comes studying for my degree. The standard of teaching is not the greatest, and not at the level you would expect if people are paying circa £9k a year for their studies, regardless of whether this is sponsored or not. Other than the weekly lectures, which are very limited in terms of content, and how the content is taught, there is not much more on offer.

Currently, the main bulk of what is being taught at university is relevant to a Cost Consultant QS, so it doesn't directly apply to what I am doing on a day to day basis. However, what this does allow you to do is understand the process and role which the PQS is going through that you will be dealing with a construction project working for Mace. This can be beneficial in terms of understanding what they are after, and why the are after it.

My site is currently in the process of arranging these.

Yes

Mace is one of the best companies to work for if you want a career in construction. There are a load of opportunities available to you as an individual if this is the type of industry you want to work on. There are all kinds of different roles, in all kinds of locations, so you are not limited in terms of what you want to do or where you want to go. Mace are obviously one of the best main contractors in the country for a reason, therefore the people within the company are going to be of a high standard. Being surrounded by highly skilled individuals on a day to day basis will only provide a great platform for you to learn and progress in construction.

The best advice I could give to someone wanting to join Mace is to just be yourself. This way, you will not have to worry about trying to be somebody you're not, allowing you to be much more relaxed through the process. Making sure you do your research about what role you actually want to go into is key, as this could potentially be what you do for the rest of your career. So you want to make sure you are doing something you will enjoy, rather than dreading the process of coming to work each day.