Apprentice Hotels Surveyor Review

I'm a graduate apprentice at Savills in Glasgow working in the Hotels valuation and agency team. On a day-to-day basis my tasks include: - Carrying out market research - Collating and reviewing information relating to factors that impact on a hotel's value - Assisting in determining the value of a property using standard methods of valuation - Assisting in preparing valuation reports - Assisting in hotel property inspections - Assisting in preparing hotel brochures and marketing clients properties

I have learned a lot of new skills including communication with clients, carrying out valuations of properties, inspecting hotels and interviewing general managers, using comparable transactions as a basis for valuing a property, general office skills such as calling clients, and attending office meetings. I have developed my existing skills from my HND in surveying to learn more about the property industry.

I really enjoy the balance between attending university over 3 fortnightly blocks to learn more about my everyday role at Savills. I think there is a good split between student and employee and this gives me a great opportunity to progress in my career as a surveyor. I enjoy working with Savills as it is very focused on the people who work for the company and providing a friendly and social environment.

The fortnightly blocks at university are very well structured in that you have plenty of time to complete coursework outwith this period and over the year. At times this can feel like a lot of information packed into a small period of time as you have to pick up on the general ideas quickly.

I receive plenty of support from my employer through a number of initiatives that include mental wellbeing and healthy eating and exercise presentations. On a day-to-day basis my line manager works closely with me on my daily tasks and is available most days to ask questions and provide guidance when required.

In the fortnightly blocks, we are reminded that although we are distance learning we have access to all the university facilities, counsellors and lecturers if we have any questions or issues. Due to it being a busy period with a full timetable of lectures and presentations, it can be difficult to find the time to request support from the staff.

So far, I have only attended one university block so I have not had the full benefit of using my knowledge gained on the course in my daily job but from the units I have completed they have provided me with a good foundation to understand some of the terminology and processes used in my field.

There are plenty of extra curricular activities on offer at Savills, which include social events after work, graduate events with other young professionals, and networking events with other offices. There would be a benefit to more sport and hobbie related activities in order to meet and get to know more people in the office.

Yes

So far in my 6 months at Savills I have learned so much about working in the property industry and specifically about how hotels operate. The environment in the office is very welcoming and social and I think that it is a great opportunity to learn about my role as a surveyor on real projects whilst also attending a part time university course.

I would say that others applying to Savills should consider a wide range of different career paths as I did not know anything about my specific role before applying and already in my first 6 months I have discovered the range of different responsibilities and tasks that come with being a commercial surveyor. My background was in Quantity Surveying and if I did not consider this different route I may not have gained all of this different experience of the industry.