Trainee Quantity Surveyor Review

Managing subcontractors on a major project, assessing the work they have completed and producing payments to reflect this, my subcontractors include the white lining and the temporary hoarding on the bridges. I am currently managing the labour suppliers so it is important to make sure they are working the correct hours and that the hours that are applied reflect the hours worked.

Since beginning my career I have learnt many new skills that have done and will help me continue to progress within my role. These skills include communicating with people, whereby once I was quite shy I can now confidently run a meeting alone, computer skills, organisational skills, as well as learning new skills I am also developing existing skills.

I really enjoy the programme. I like being able to come to work and begin my career whilst getting my qualifications at the same time. I think this itself helps with my progression as it encourages me to manage my time to ensure that I am getting my university work completed as well as managing my day to day tasks at work. It is also nice to be able to have a week away from work and enjoy the university lifestyle which also allows me a week where I can solely focus on my studies.

The programme is very well organised and structured. We have a contact who we can go to if we need advice or information on anything. Everything regarding our university weeks is planned for us, we are told when we are to go and we are told where we are staying etc which makes the whole experience pleasant as everything is organised for us.

My employer is supportive of my apprenticeship and ensures that help is available when needed. I have a mentor at work who I can speak to about my studies or my day to day tasks and they help me with anything I am struggling with. We also have monthly meetings whereby we go over one topic that I am not very familiar with which I can then go and gain experience of.

When completing my studies I receive support from the university. Whether I am actually at the university or at work help is available from the lecturers and the course leaders. They are always at the end of an email waiting to answer any questions that we have regarding the assignments that we are completing, or even general queries.

My qualification so far has had no real relevance to my role as the work I have completed is very different from my day to day tasks, however I feel what I have learnt so far could play a vital role in my future and be beneficial for my career development. I think as I begin my second year the university work will become more relevant.

Quite often we have team building events as well as social events to try and encourage a positive working environment, however due to the size of the office and the amount of people working here who travel from all over the country it is difficult to arrange this as the number of people available to attend is always very poor. There is a football team who play once a week after work however this is not something I am apart of.

Yes

Kier have started my career and I really do enjoy my job. I like working in the office alongside people with much more experience than myself as they are always available as a helping hand to give me guidance when I need it. I would also recommend Kier due to the Degree Apprenticeship as I think working whilst learning and earning is more beneficial than going off to university and then finding a job afterwards. I feel in the long run doing it this way will highly benefit me and my development.

Research the company so you have a clear understanding of their values and what type of work they carry out. Look into what development options there are available and what training you can partake in that will help you to progress. Find a role that you enjoy doing as this will make your overall development even easier without feeling like a struggle.